BioInvent and ThromboGenics Add New Anti-Angiogenesis Program to Collaboration; Novel Approach to Treatment of Tumors, Inflammation and Eye Disease.

LUND, Sweden & DUBLIN, Ireland -- BioInvent International AB (SAX:BINV) and ThromboGenics Ltd. today announced an expansion of their long-term collaborative research and licensing agreement, originally initiated in September. The Companies are announcing the joint development of a new class of anti-angiogenesis agents, currently under investigation at ThromboGenics, based on inhibition of placental growth factor (PlGF). Antibody-based inhibition of PlGF (or anti-PlGF) has shown strong potential in pre-clinical studies to treat tumors and other conditions such as proliferative retinopathies, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inflammation and abdominal adhesion, through its unique role in inhibiting new blood vessel formation (or anti-angiogenesis). E[acute accent]The joint development of anti-PlGF expands on the capabilities of both Companies, combining BioInvent's skills in the development of angiogenesis therapies and antibodies with ThromboGenics' expertise in research and clinical development of treatments for vascular disease. Key inventions contributing to this collaborative effort are covered by existing and pending patents. E[acute accent]The prospective anti-PlGF lead candidate will enter formal preclinical development next year. Under the terms of the anti-PlGF collaboration, the parties will share costs and revenues according to the existing agreement terms. This program will be added to the ongoing collaboration, which is currently developing anti-Factor VIII monoclonal antibody as a novel anticoagulant therapy. It is anticipated that BioInvent and ThromboGenics will bring these programs through clinical proof-of-concept prior to seeking a pharmaceutical partnership for further development and commercialization. E[acute accent]Research on anti-PlGF has been led by the work of Professor Peter Carmeliet, MD, PhD, Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology (VIB) and University of Leuven, Belgium. Professor Carmeliet has published numerous papers in Nature Medicine and other peer-reviewed journals, which validate the therapeutic role of PlGF, both as an anti-angiogenic target and a pro-angiogenic growth factor, for inhibition or stimulation of blood vessel formation. E[acute accent]Svein Mathisen, CEO and President of BioInvent, commented on the new collaboration by stating, "Anti-angiogenesis is an exciting market opportunity with huge potential, in particular for oncology, but also for the treatment of other vascular-based diseases. We believe that the addition of this program will further enhance our angiogenesis competence and oncology franchise, whilst also strengthening our collaborations portfolio and relationship with ThromboGenics. It adds a new dimension to our discovery and development efforts." E[acute accent]Professor Desire Collen, Chairman and CEO of ThromboGenics, adds, "Anti-PlGF represents a novel approach to anti-angiogenesis therapy. It is our hope that, via this collaboration between ThromboGenics and BioInvent, we will be able to efficiently evaluate the efficacy and potential of an entirely new class of therapeutic agents for oncology, inflammation and visual disorders."