Dendreon and Kirin Expand Their Collaboration.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K SEATTLE--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 10, 2001 Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq:DNDN) announced today the expansion of its collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan. Under the terms of the new agreement, Dendreon will provide Kirin with extensive clinical development and regulatory support aimed at seeking marketing approval in Asia of Dendreon's leading cancer vaccine The term cancer vaccine is often used to describe a process whereby a person's immune system is coaxed into recognizing and destroying malignant cells without harming normal cells. candidates, Provenge(TM) and Mylovenge(TM). Kirin has also secured a supply of key components of these products from Dendreon and has obtained an option to license Dendreon's proprietary manufacturing technology for Provenge. In consideration of these new activities and commitments, Dendreon has received from Kirin a payment of $10 million. Other economic terms of the original agreements are unaffected. "This expanded mutual commitment clearly reflects that our relationship with Kirin, now approaching three years old, is progressing well for both parties," said Christopher S. Henney, Ph.D., D.Sc., chief executive officer of Dendreon. "As Provenge and Mylovenge move through the clinical trial process, it is important to contemplate potential commercialization of these products. Under the new agreement, Kirin is assured of a continuing source of Provenge to fill anticipated Asian needs. We look forward together to success in our efforts to launch Dendreon products in Asia and to the joining together of Dendreon and Kirin technologies in what we hope will become a family of new products." The Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. is focused on the development of new products in areas including cancer and hematopoietic hematopoietic /he·ma·to·poi·et·ic/ (-poi-et´ik) 1. pertaining to hematopoiesis. 2. an agent that promotes hematopoiesis. hematopoietic 1. pertaining to or affecting the formation of blood cells. disease. Kirin is an established leader in the development and sales of pharmaceutical products throughout Asia. Dendreon Corporation (www.dendreon.com) is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel products for the treatment of cancer through its innovative manipulation of the 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. . Dendreon currently has three therapeutic cancer vaccine candidates in clinical trials -- Provenge, for the treatment of prostate cancer prostate cancer, cancer originating in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in men. , in Phase III Noun 1. phase III - a large clinical trial of a treatment or drug that in phase I and phase II has been shown to be efficacious with tolerable side effects; after successful conclusion of these clinical trials it will receive formal approval from the FDA trials; Mylovenge, for the treatment of multiple myeloma multiple myeloma A malignant proliferation of abnormal plasma cells that populate the marrow-containing bones of the body. The affected plasma cells produce myeloma protein, a monoclonal antibody that replaces normal antibodies in the blood, thereby increasing susceptibility , in Phase II trials; and APC (1) (American Power Conversion Corporation, West Kingston, RI, www.apcc.com) The leading manufacturer of UPS systems and surge suppressors, founded in 1981 by Rodger Dowdell, Neil Rasmussen and Emanual Landsman, three electronic power engineers who had worked at MIT. 8024, for the treatment of breast, ovarian ovarian /ovar·i·an/ (o-var´e-an) pertaining to an ovary or ovaries. ovarian pertaining to an ovary. ovarian agenesis and colon cancers colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. , in Phase I trials. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks related to Dendreon's limited operating history, risks associated with completing our clinical trials and those of our collaborator, dependence on the efforts of third parties, including collaborators, and our dependence on intellectual property. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Dendreon's business, financial condition and results of operations, are contained in Dendreon's SEC reports, which are available at www.sec.gov |
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