Advanced Biotherapy and Innogenetics Combine Intellectual Property on Antibodies to Interferon-Gamma.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. & GENT, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2004 Advanced Biotherapy biotherapy /bio·ther·a·py/ (-ther´ah-pe) biological therapy. bi·o·ther·a·py n. Treatment of disease with biologicals, such as vaccines. , Inc. (OTCBB OTCBB See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB). :ADVB ADVB Associação dos Dirigentes de Vendas e Marketing do Brasil ) and Innogenetics NV (Euronext:INNX) announced the signing of a cross-licensing agreement combining Innogenetics' patented humanized antibody humanized antibody Molecular medicine A recombinant DNA product which ↓ non-human monoclonal antibody immunogenicity, by transferring the hypervariable genes of rodent antibodies–which encode peptide segments capable of recognizing the desired epitope, to interferon-gamma (known as INNO 202) and Advanced Biotherapy's intellectual property in the field of various immune diseases involving interferon-gamma. By granting each other access to their respective intellectual property, the agreement provides a broader, joint position to attract interested third parties when negotiating mutually relevant development and commercial license agreements. The first clinical indication targeted in this arrangement is rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis Chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing connective-tissue inflammation, mostly in synovial joints. It can occur at any age, is more common in women, and has an unpredictable course. , but the agreement provides both companies with the option to target other widespread autoimmune conditions in the future. Proceeds resulting from the combined intellectual property will be shared between both companies. "We are very pleased to collaborate with Innogenetics," stated Edmond Buccellato, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and Chairman of the Board of Advanced Biotherapy. "Combining patent portfolios and technical know-how will position us to deal effectively with third parties interested in treating autoimmune diseases Autoimmune diseases A group of diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, in which immune cells turn on the body, attacking various tissues and organs. Mentioned in: Complement Deficiencies, Premature Menopause using humanized antibodies to interferon-gamma." Phillippe Archinard, CEO of Innogenetics added, "This collaboration also offers new licensing avenues for our humanized monoclonal antibody monoclonal antibody, an antibody that is mass produced in the laboratory from a single clone and that recognizes only one antigen. Monoclonal antibodies are typically made by fusing a normally short-lived, antibody-producing B cell (see immunity) to a fast-growing targeting interferon-gamma in therapeutic indications other than sepsis. Innogenetics will benefit from this partnership with a company that is strongly committed to developing interferon-gamma blocking agents, which fall outside Innogenetics' focus on therapeutic vaccines." Under the provisions of the collaboration agreement announced today, both companies may continue to license their respective intellectual property rights to third parties independent of the collaboration agreement. Previously Reported Events Advanced Biotherapy -- investigational trial in field of rheumatoid arthritis As previously reported, Advanced Biotherapy, Inc. sponsored an investigational, randomized ran·dom·ize tr.v. ran·dom·ized, ran·dom·iz·ing, ran·dom·iz·es To make random in arrangement, especially in order to control the variables in an experiment. , double-blind trial in 55 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis unresponsive to other anti-arthritic treatments. This trial undertaken in Russia followed a preliminary study with 25 patients, which produced encouraging results. The 55 patients were either given a short course of antibodies to interferon-gamma, a short course of antibodies to tumor necrosis factor-alpha Tumor necrosis factor (TNF, cachexin or cachectin and formally known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha) is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. , or a placebo. Four weeks after treatment, both groups receiving an investigational antibody to interferon-gamma and the group receiving an investigational antibody to tumor necrosis factor-alpha exhibited sustained significant improvement in all clinical measures. However, ultrasound measurement of the thickness of the inflamed knee-joint lining (the synovial membrane synovial membrane n. The connective-tissue membrane that lines the cavity of a synovial joint and produces the synovial fluid. Also called synovium. ) established that only anti-interferon-gamma resulted in a significant reduction in membrane thickness. Four weeks after the initiation of treatment, using criteria for measuring therapeutic responses established by the American College of Rheumatology rheumatology /rheu·ma·tol·o·gy/ (-tol´ah-je) the branch of medicine dealing with rheumatic disorders, their causes, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, etc. rheu·ma·tol·o·gy n. , the number of patients achieving the maximum level of response was greater in the patients receiving antibody to interferon-gamma. Innogenetics -- positive preclinical results using interferon-gamma antibody In 2003, Innogenetics reported positive results of the pivotal preclinical evaluation of its proprietary interferon-gamma monoclonal antibody (INNO 202) for the treatment of severe sepsis severe sepsis A condition defined clinically as 'Sepsis associated with organ dysfunction, hypotension, or hypoperfusion abnormalities (which include) …lactic acidosis, oliguria, or an acute alteration in mental status in a clinically relevant animal model. We invite you to consult the press release of May 6, 2003 on Innogenetics' website (www.innogenetics.com) for further information. About Advanced Biotherapy Headquartered in Woodland Hills, Calif., with laboratories in Columbia, Maryland, Advanced Biotherapy, Inc. is dedicated to pioneering the development of innovative antibody and other anti-cytokine therapies for treating severe and widespread autoimmune diseases. The Company's investigational therapies treat autoimmune diseases at their source, neutralizing biologic imbalances that impair immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. function. Its core technology is protected under U.S. patents and patents pending for the use of a class of inhibitors to the cytokines Cytokines Chemicals made by the cells that act on other cells to stimulate or inhibit their function. Cytokines that stimulate growth are called "growth factors. known as interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. They also cover the use of inhibitors to other cytokines for treating a range of autoimmune diseases. The Company has demonstrated the effectiveness of its scientific strategy by conducting investigational clinical trials treating patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, corneal transplant corneal transplant Ophthalmology The replacement of a damaged cornea with a cadaveric–healthy donor cornea; CTs are indicated in severe corneal injury or for corneal ulcers with residual scarring rejection and certain autoimmune skin conditions, including psoriasis. About Innogenetics Innogenetics is an international biopharmaceutical company building parallel businesses in the areas of specialty diagnostics and therapeutic vaccines. In 2003, total revenues increased by 16% to EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 73 million, with specialty diagnostics reaching an operating profit Operating profit (or loss) Revenue from a firm's regular activities less costs and expenses and before income deductions. operating profit See operating income. of EUR 7 million. Its Diagnostics Division develops a large number of specialty products covering three areas: infectious diseases (hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. ), genetic testing (HLA HLA human leukocyte antigens. HLA abbr. human leukocyte antigen HLA (human leuckocyte antigen) tissue typing and cystic fibrosis), and neurodegeneration (Alzheimer's disease). In its Therapeutics Division, Innogenetics focuses on the development of therapeutic vaccines to address unmet medical needs in the field of infectious diseases, with two compounds now in clinical trials (hepatitis C in phase 2 and hepatitis B in phase 1). Innogenetics has a strong commercially oriented management team and distinctive dual business model. Founded in 1985, Innogenetics is listed on Euronext Brussels (INNX). Innogenetics' headquarters are in Gent, Belgium, with sales affiliates in the United States, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Innogenetics employs 590 people worldwide and has a market capitalization of approximately EUR 360 million (May 3, 2004). Statements made in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in forward-looking statements made by Advanced Biotherapy, Inc. or Innogenetics NV in this news release. Some of these forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words in the statements such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "could" or other words and terms of similar meaning. The risks and uncertainties which may affect the development, operations and results of Advanced Biotherapy's business include, but are not limited to the following: risks associated with clinical trials, the uncertainties of research and product development programs, the uncertainties of the regulatory approval process, the risks of competitive products, the risks of our current capital resources, the uncertainties as to the availability of future capital and our future capital requirements, and the risks associated with the extent and breadth of Advanced Biotherapy's patent portfolio. Similar risks and uncertainties as well as others may affect Innogenetics. There are no assurances that Advanced Biotherapy's product candidates will receive regulatory approval; no assurances can be given about Innogenetics' product candidates. The foregoing discussion of the pending clinical investigations and the effect of the patents issued and pending involves risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks that third parties may be successful in challenging such patents; or that granted claims may be held invalid or interpreted differently by a court of law; or that new technologies will be developed that are superior in treating the diseases targeted by Advanced Biotherapy, Inc. No assurances can be given regarding Innogenetics' product candidates or patents. Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. See Advanced Biotherapy's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for further information about risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company and the results or expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements, including the section captioned "Factors That May Affect The Company" contained in Advanced Biotherapy's Annual Report on Form10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion