Emerging Biotech Company Athera and Lonza Sign Development and Manufacturing Agreement
3/17/2011 2:31 AM EST
* The agreement secures a development and cGMP manufacturing plan for Athera
Biotechnologies, part of the Karolinska Development portfolio
* Lonza will initiate cell line and process development, using Lonza's GS Gene
Expression SystemTM
* Athera's monoclonal antibody, PC-mAb, is intended for the treatment of
patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome who are at an increased risk of
secondary cardiovascular events and death
Basel, Switzerland, 17 March 2011 - Athera and Lonza announced today a new
development and manufacturing agreement. Lonza will initiate cell line and
process development for Athera's monoclonal antibody PC-mAb. Athera's PC-mAb is
intended for the treatment of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome who are at
an increased risk of secondary cardiovascular events and death.
This agreement secures a development and cGMP manufacturing plan for Athera.
Lonza will initiate cell line and process development, using Lonza's GS Gene
Expression SystemTM.
"Lonza is pleased tocontinue our support of emerging biotech companies with this
commitment to Athera's promising pipeline," said Stephan Kutzer, Head of
Lonza's Custom Manufacturing Division. "The PC-mAb project from Athera fits well
with Lonza's core competencies and technical experience."
"We are very confident with Lonza as our development partner," said Carina
Schmidt, CEO of Athera Biotechnologies. "They have an excellent track record in
the field of monoclonal antibody development."
About PC-mAb
Naturally occuring antibodies to phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) have anti-
inflammatory properties and prevent the uptake of oxidized LDL in macrophages.
PC-mAb from Athera is currently in pre-clinical development, using a unique
fully human monoclonal antibody developed for Athera by Dyax Corp. in Boston,
USA. PC-mAb is being developed to restore cardio-protective levels of anti-PC
and prevent secondary CVD events after acute coronary syndrome. In addition,
Athera has developed a biomarker and companion diagnostic CVDefine® kit. The
biomarker, anti-PC, is linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and
could in the future be used for identification of patients that benefit from
Athera's novel therapeutics.
About Athera Biotechnologies AB (publ)
Athera has a unique and in-depth understanding of the immunological components
in atherosclerosis, the inflammatory process leading to cardiovascular disease
(CVD). The company currently has two biopharmaceutical product candidates aimed
at treating patients with cardiovascular conditions and a biomarker linked to
the therapeutic approach. Athera, a Swedish company, is part of the Karolinska
Development AB (publ) portfolio.www.athera.se
About Karolinska Development AB (publ)
Karolinska Development aims to create value for investors, patients, and
researchers by developing innovations from world class research into products
that can be sold or out-licensed with high returns. The business model is to:
SELECT the most commercially attractive medical innovations; DEVELOP these to
the stage where the greatest return on investment can be achieved; and
COMMERCIALIZE the innovations through the sale of companies or out licensing of
products. This will result in upfront payments, milestone payments and
royalties.
An exclusive deal flow agreement with Karolinska Institutet Innovations AB,
along with other cooperation agreements with leading Nordic universities,
delivers a continuous flow of innovations.
Karolinska Developments flexible exit strategy enables projects to be exited at
whichever stage of development offers the greatest return on investment, usually
after Phase II clinical trials have indicated the desired pharmaceutical effect
on patients - this being an important value enhancing step.
Today, the portfolio consists of over 40 projects at various stages, from
concept development to Phase II clinical trials, twelve projects are in clinical
trials with six in Phase II. The portfolio is particularly strong in the areas
of cancer, dermatology, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, women's health and
diseases that affect the central nervous system. www.karolinskadevelopment.com
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare
and life science industries. Products and services span its customers' needs
from research to final product manufacture. It is the global leader in the
production and support of active pharmaceutical ingredients both chemically as
well as biotechnologically. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers
of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lonza has strong
capabilities in large and small molecules, peptides, amino acids and niche
bioproducts which play an important role in the development of novel medicines
and healthcare products. In addition, Lonza is a leader in cell-based research,
endotoxin detection and cell therapy manufacturing. Furthermore, the company is
a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition,
hygiene, preservation, agro and personal care markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SIX Swiss
Exchange. In 2010, the company had sales of CHF 2.680 billion. Further
information can be found at www.lonza.com
For further Information:
Athera Lonza
Biotechnologies Group Lonza Group Ltd
Ltd
AB (publ) Corporate Communications Investor Relations Media Relations
Chief Executive Dominik Werner Dirk Oehlers Melanie Disa
Officer
Carina Schmidt Tel +41 61 316 8798 Tel +41 61 316 8540 Tel +1 201 316 9413
Tel +46 761938190 Fax +41 61 316 9798 Fax +41 61 316 9540 Fax +1 201 696 3533
News Release as PDF:
http://hugin.info/143298/R/1497556/433262pdf
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Source: Athera Biotechnologies AB via Thomson Reuters ONE
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