ExpreS2ion’s new joint venture, AdaptVac, reaches proof of concept in animals for breakthrough breast cancer vaccine treatment
Hørsholm, Denmark, October 18, 2017 – Today, ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB (“ExpreS2ion”) announces that its joint venture, AdaptVac ApS (“AdaptVac”), has reached proof of concept in advanced animal models (POCA) for AV-001, its novel vaccine treatment against breast cancer tumours. This is a significant milestone for AdaptVac in the progress towards clinical development. AdaptVac will now initiate discussions with large pharmaceutical companies regarding a license or collaboration agreement for the clinical development of the project.
The scientific results that form the basis of the proof of concept in animal models show a strong therapeutic effect on par with leading treatments on the market. The data will be presented the 30th of November at the Virus-Like Particle & Nano-Particle Vaccines meeting in Singapore under the title ‘A novel VLP-display technology enables induction of protective antibody responses directed against human HER2 in a transgenic mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer’ and has also been submitted for publication in a renowned, peer-reviewed scientific journal with expected publication later in 2017.
The idea to use a vaccine treatment against non-infectious diseases such as cancer or allergy is not new. However, up until now it has been very difficult in cancer to overcome the body’s immune response and show strong therapeutic efficiency with modern so-called subunit vaccines. By adding a virus-like structure to the substance to trigger the immune system in a specific way, AdaptVac’s technology is ideally suited for a rapid conversion of a broad range of previously inefficient subunit vaccines to efficient treatments. AdaptVac’s project portfolio currently consists of two lead projects: the breast cancer project and one undisclosed infectious disease project.
Dr. Steen Klysner, CEO of ExpreS2ion, comments:
“I am happy to announce that our new joint venture, AdaptVac, has reached proof of concept in advanced animal models. Being able to show a strong therapeutic effect on breast cancer tumours that rival the efficiency of existing treatments in validated animal models is truly exciting in itself and an important milestone for AdaptVac’s work going forward.”
Strong market potential in breast cancer
Breast cancer is a widespread oncology indication affecting more than 1.3 million worldwide annually and resulting in more than 450,000 deaths (Tao, 2015: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25543329). The most common treatment today is based on monoclonal antibodies, where the dominating therapy HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) generates annual global sales of US$ 7 billion. The target product profile of AdaptVac's lead breast cancer prototype is tailored to be highly competitive both in terms of cost and efficacy, thus aiming at a significant market share.
About AdaptVac ApS
AdaptVac is a new joint venture between ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies and NextGen Vaccines, combining ExpreS2ions platform with novel proprietary and ground-breaking Virus-Like Particle (VLP) technology, developed at the University of Copenhagen. The company aims to accelerate the development of highly efficient therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines within high value segments of oncology, infectious diseases and immunological disorders.
About NextGen Vaccines ApS
NextGen Vaccines Aps was founded by researchers from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences in Copenhagen University. It has developed a patented technology that enables the development of an entirely new class of vaccines. The method may be used broadly for effective treatment of both serious infectious diseases (e.g. Zika Virus, Human Papillomavirus and Malaria) and non-contagious diseases, including cancer and allergy.
For further information about ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB, please contact:
Dr. Steen Klysner, CEO
Telephone: +45 2062 9908
E-mail: sk@expres2ionbio.com
About ExpreS2ion
ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS, is a fully owned Danish subsidiary of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB with company register number 559033-3729. The subsidiary has developed a unique platform technology, ExpreS2, enabling cost effective development and robust production of complex proteins for new vaccines and diagnostics for e.g. Malaria and Zika. Since founded in 2010, the company has used its patented ExpreS2platform to produce more than 250 proteins in collaborations with research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies, with a superior efficiency and success rate.
Certified Adviser
Sedermera Fondkommission is appointed as Certified Adviser for ExpreS2ion.
This press release contains information that ExpreS2ion is obligated 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 on October 18, 2017.
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