Annexin signs exclusive licensing deal in cancer
Annexin Pharmaceuticals AB (publ) has entered into a license agreement with Stanford University, CA, USA granting Annexin Pharmaceuticals exclusive license to patent rights related to use of Annexin A5 in treatment of cancer.
STOCKHOLM (3 April, 2022) - The license involves a novel therapeutic concept for treating cancer by administration of the Annexin A5 protein, functionally identical to Annexin Pharmaceuticals’ drug candidate ANXV. Studies have shown that Annexin A5 acts as a potent immunomodulating anti-cancer agent acting via blocking phosphatidylserine (PS) on cancer cells (US patent No 11,253,568). The concept of using Annexin A5 as an immune checkpoint inhibitor has been confirmed by independent researchers (Kang et al., 2020 Nature Commun), where the effect of Annexin A5 was comparable to that of well-established and marketed checkpoint inhibitors such as PD-1.
“Fighting cancer by discovery of new mechanisms and medicines remains one of the most important tasks in science and drug development. The scientific evidence supporting use of Annexin A5 as a promising potent and novel immune checkpoint inhibitor for cancer treatment has become stronger in the recent years with the highest quality data being published by independent groups. We are looking forward to exploring this opportunity further,” says Anna Frostegård, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer.
“The license, already granted in the US, in combination with our production patents and Phase 1 safety clinical data gives a unique position to Annexin Pharmaceuticals. In addition to our focus on retinal vein occlusion (RVO), this gives us an opportunity to enter the field of immuno-oncology with our drug candidate ANXV,” says Anders Haegerstrand, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer.
The licensing terms are according to industry standards.
About Annexin Pharmaceuticals AB (publ)
Annexin Pharmaceuticals AB is a world-leading biotechnology company in the Annexin A5 field for the treatment of various vascular diseases. The company’s biological drug candidate ANXV – a human recombinant protein, Annexin A5 – is primarily intended for short term treatment of patients with injuries and inflammation of the blood vessels. The company has an extensive patent portfolio for the treatment of diseases that occur due to the damage and inflammation of the blood vessels. Annexin Pharmaceuticals has established and optimized a cell line for large-scale production of ANXV.
The Company is based in Stockholm, Sweden and listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market, under the ticker ANNX. Redeye is the company´s Certified Adviser, email certifiedadviser@redeye.se or phone +46 8 121 576 90.
For further information please visit www.annexinpharma.com or contact CEO Anders Haegerstrand at +46 707 575 50 37.
This information is information that Annexin Pharmaceuticals AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 21.00 CEST on April 3, 2022.
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