Pro Bono Bio Exercises Option and Obtains Exclusive Licence From PolyTherics to TheraPEG(TM) Technology for the Development of a Long-acting Factor VIII as a Potential Treatment for haemophilia A
LONDON and MOSCOW, September 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –
Pro Bono Bio Group plc (“PBB”), the international healthcare group, and PolyTherics
Limited (“PolyTherics”), a provider of solutions for the development of better
biopharmaceuticals, announce further progress on their haematology alliance to produce
longer-acting versions of blood factor proteins.
Following an agreement between the parties in May 2012, PBB and PolyTherics undertook
a feasibility programme to evaluate the use of PolyTherics’ TheraPEG(TM) technology to
develop a unique long-acting PEGylated* form of Factor VIII (“TheraPEG(TM) FVIII”) for the
treatment of Haemophilia A (“HA”).
The successful conclusion of this programme has led PBB to exercise an option to take
an exclusive, global licence to use TheraPEG(TM) technology to develop and commercialise a
TheraPEG(TM)-FVIII product that will be longer acting than the FVIII products currently in
use. Haemophilia patients treated with FVIII prophylactically require treatment on average
three times a week. A longer-acting FVIII will therefore enable less frequent dosing of
the product and thus greater convenience for patients, especially those using FVIII for
regular prophylaxis against bleeding episodes.
The exercise of the option and signing of the licence has triggered an undisclosed
milestone payment to PolyTherics. Under the terms of the licence PolyTherics is also due
to receive further development and regulatory milestones as well as royalties on future
worldwide product sales.
PBB already has exclusive, global licences to use TheraPEG(TM) technology to develop
and commercialise long-acting forms of Factor IX (for the treatment of Haemophilia B,
“HB”) and Factor VIIa (for the treatment of HA or HB in patients with an immune response
to FVIII or FIX respectively, and also for use in trauma situations). The new licence to
develop and commercialise TheraPEG(TM) FVIII completes this suite of the most important
therapeutic blood factors.
Michael Earl, COO of PBB, said: “We are pleased to have been able to confirm that the
significant increases in half-life we have seen with TheraPEG(TM) Factors VIIa and IX can
also be shown with TheraPEG(TM) Factor VIII. The benefits of prophylaxis for patients with
more severe forms of haemophilia are well established, and the development of this further
product will make patients’ lives simpler and enhance compliance, whilst providing a
significant commercial opportunity for our alliance with PolyTherics.”
“Progression of a TheraPEG(TM) Factor VIII is an exciting development for PolyTherics
and our broadening alliance with Pro Bono Bio,” commented John Burt, CEO of PolyTherics.
“TheraPEG(TM) is a proven technology for extending the half-life and enhancing the
beneficial characteristics of proteins and therefore enables our partners to develop
better biopharmaceuticals to address significant clinical needs.”
*PEG = polyethylene glycol
Notes to Editors:
About Pro Bono Bio Group plc
Pro Bono Bio Group plc (“PBB”) is an international healthcare company, based on
pharmaceutical experience in product development, commercialisation and finance. We
partner with specialist service providers to bring the best talent to bear on key unmet
medical needs. In doing so we are creating and marketing commercially important new
therapies.
Pro Bono Bio launched its first medicine, FLEXISEQ, for the treatment of pain
associated with osteoarthritis in 2012 in Germany.
http://www.probonobio.com
About PolyTherics Ltd
PolyTherics provides technology solutions to enable the development of better
biopharmaceuticals.
PolyTherics’ suite of technologies enables the development of novel antibody drug
conjugates and biopharmaceuticals with extended duration of action or other desirable
clinical characteristics.
The proprietary technologies, TheraPEG(TM), CyPEG(TM) and HiPEG(TM), are used to
attach polymers, typically polyethylene glycol (PEG), to specific sites on proteins and
peptides to extend their duration of action and, more recently, to produce antibody drug
conjugates for targeted cancer therapy. Following its acquisition of Warwick Effect
Polymers in January 2012, PolyTherics can provide two new polymers, PolyPEG(R) and
GlycoPol(R), to further tailor the properties of biopharmaceuticals.
Products developed using PolyTherics’ technologies offer significant advantages over
the original protein, including better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile,
improved stability, and because they are more homogeneous, more efficient and
cost-effective manufacture. PolyTherics has established collaborations with biotechnology
and pharmaceutical partners and the first products developed using its technology are
expected to enter the clinic within 18 months. In addition to driving existing
collaborations, PolyTherics is seeking further partners interested in the application of
its technologies to produce better biopharmaceuticals.
PolyTherics is a privately owned UK company and is backed by institutional investors,
including Imperial Innovations (LON:IVO), Proven Health VCT plc, The Capital Fund, Oxford
Technology VCT 3 plc and Oxford Technology 4 plc, Advantage Enterprise and Innovation
Fund, Mercia Funds 1 & 2, and high net worth individuals with funds managed by Longbow
Capital LLP. The Company has dedicated facilities in London and Coventry, UK.
http://www.polytherics.com
For more information:
Pro Bono Bio
David Dible, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel.: +44(0)20-7282-2949
David.Dible@citigatedr.co.uk
John Mayo, Pro Bono Bio
Tel.: +44(0)20-7291-5454
Email: john.mayo@pbbio.com
PolyTherics
John Burt, PolyTherics
Tel.: +44(0)20-7691-3580
Email: john.burt@polytherics.com
Mark Swallow, Sita Shah, Chris Gardner
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel.: +44(0)20-7282-2948
mark.swallow@citigatedr.co.uk
SOURCE Bono Bio Group plc and About PolyTherics Ltd
