Algeta and Sanofi extend research collaboration evaluating thorium-conjugated tumor-targeting antibody
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Not intended for US media
Oslo, Norway, 30 April 2012 - Algeta ASA (OSE: ALGETA), a company focused on the
development of novel targeted cancer therapeutics, announces that its research
collaboration with Sanofi (previously Genzyme) has been extended. This
collaboration, which was announced in April 2011, is focused on evaluating the
potential of linking the alpha-emitter thorium-227 to a novel and proprietary
antibody from Genzyme to create a tumor-targeting alpha-pharmaceutical (also
known as a Targeted Thorium Conjugate, or TTC).
Over the past 12 months, Algeta and Genzyme have jointly pursued a defined
research program and both have contributed resources and expertise to the
collaboration. The program and the encouraging results produced to date have
been reviewed by Algeta and Sanofi (following its 2011 acquisition of Genzyme)
and both parties have now decided that the collaboration should continue on the
same basis for a further year.
Thomas Ramdahl, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Algeta,
said: "We have made significant progress in this collaboration with Genzyme and
are delighted that it is to continue with the added antibody experience provided
by the broader Sanofi team."
About the TTC Platform
Thorium-227 is an element (radionuclide) that emits high-energy alpha particles.
Such elements are of considerable interest in the treatment of cancer as they
are potent at killing tumor cells and have a highly localized effect as a result
of the very short range of the alpha particle (2-10 cell diameters). Thorium-
227 is not inherently tumor-targeting, but by linking it to tumor-targeting
molecules such as antibodies, Algeta believes it can develop a new class of
highly targeted alpha-pharmaceuticals (Targeted Thorium Conjugates, or TTCs).
TTCs have the potential to address a broad range of cancers and could offer
unique advantages over current antibody-drug conjugates that use cytotoxic drugs
as payloads. Such advantages may include increased potency, highly-localized
tumoricidal effect and the ability to overcome drug resistance of the cancer
cells by virtue of the direct tumor-killing action of the alpha particles.
For more information about Algeta's technology, please visit www.algeta.com
###
For further information, please contact
Mike Booth +47 2202 4510
Communications & Corporate Affairs ir(at)algeta.com
International media enquiries: +44 207 638 9571
Mark Swallow mark.swallow(at)citigatedr.co.uk
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
US investor enquiries: +1 646 378 2928
Jessica Lloyd jlloyd(at)troutgroup.com
The Trout Group
About Algeta
Algeta is a company focused on developing novel targeted therapies for patients
with cancer based on its alpha-pharmaceutical platform.
Algeta's lead product Alpharadin (radium-223 chloride) is being evaluated as a
potential new treatment for cancer patients with bone metastases. Alpharadin is
in pre-registration for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients
with bone metastases, and filings seeking regulatory approval are expected mid
2012 in both the United States and Europe; Alpharadin has Fast Track designation
for this indication in the USA. Alpharadin is not approved by the US Food & Drug
Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or any other health
authority.
Alpharadin is also under clinical investigation in endocrine-refractory breast
cancer patients with bone metastases and is in a phase I/IIa trial in
combination with docetaxel chemotherapy in CPRC patients with bone metastases.
Alpharadin is being evaluated and will be commercialized, if approved, under a
global agreement with Bayer Pharma AG. If approved, Bayer will market Alpharadin
worldwide, and Algeta will co-promote Alpharadin with Bayer in the US.
Algeta is also evaluating the potential of Targeted Thorium Conjugates (TTCs),
which are based on conjugating the alpha-emitter thorium-227 to targeting
molecules, as a basis of a potential future pipeline of tumor-targeting alpha-
pharmaceutical candidates
The Company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and is listed on the Oslo Stock
Exchange (Ticker: ALGETA).
Alpharadin and Algeta are trademarks of Algeta ASA.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements based on
uncertainty, since they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will
occur in the future and which, by their nature, will have an impact on results
of operations and the financial condition of Algeta. Such forward-looking
statements reflect our current views and are based on the information currently
available to Algeta. Algeta cannot give any assurance to the correctness of such
statements. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things, risks or
uncertainties associated with collaborations with Sanofi and other companies in
the development of targeting molecules and alpha particle payloads, the risk
that research & development will not yield TTCs or other new products that are
commercially viable, the ability to successfully commercialize any TTCs
developed internally or through our collaborations with other companies, the
impact of competition, the ability to successfully commercialize Alpharadin, the
risk that costs associated with the co-promotion of Alpharadin may be greater
than anticipated, the risk of non-approval of patents not yet granted,
unforeseen delays in the timing of expected regulatory filings, risks in
obtaining regulatory approvals for Alpharadin and difficulties of obtaining
relevant governmental approvals for TTCs and other new products in the future,
and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report.
Press release:
http://hugin.info/134655/R/1607164/509719.pdf
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Algeta ASA via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1607164]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 30.04.2012 - 08:01 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 140385
Anzahl Zeichen: 7327
contact information:
Town:
Oslo
Kategorie:
Business News
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"Algeta and Sanofi extend research collaboration evaluating thorium-conjugated tumor-targeting antibody"
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