ThromboGenics and VIB launch New Oncology Company
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Oncurious NV to develop TB-403 for Pediatric Brain Tumors
Leuven, April 14, 2015 - ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR), an
integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing
innovative ophthalmic medicines, today announces the foundation of Oncurious NV,
a new oncology company that will develop TB-403 for the treatment of pediatric
brain tumors. VIB, a leading life sciences institute in Flanders (Belgium), will
become a shareholder alongside ThromboGenics in this new oncology venture.
ThromboGenics will be the majority shareholder.
TB-403 is a humanized monoclonal antibody against placental growth factor
(PlGF). PlGF is expressed in several types of cancer, including medulloblastoma.
High expression of the PlGF receptor neuropilin 1 has been shown to correlate
with poor overall survival. Medulloblastoma is a rare, life-threatening brain
tumor that mainly affects children.
Treatment with TB-403 in relevant animal models for medulloblastoma has
demonstrated beneficial effects on tumor growth and survival. The antibody can
potentially be used in other pediatric cancer indications, including
neuroblastoma.
In February 2013, a paper in Cell (Cell, 152, 1065-76, 2013) highlighted for the
first time that PlGF plays a vital role in the brain and that its expression is
required for the growth and spread of medulloblastoma. The paper was based on
pre-clinical research conducted by Prof Rakesh Jain from the Massachusetts
General Hospital at Harvard (Boston) and the team of Prof Peter Carmeliet from
VIB/ KU Leuven.
Oncurious now plans to start a Phase I/IIa program with TB-403 in
medulloblastoma patients. Enrollment of the first patient is expected for the
end of 2015.
The favorable safety profile of TB-403 has already been demonstrated in clinical
trials in patients with other diseases.
Dr Patrik De Haes, CEO of ThromboGenics said, "The formation of Oncurious is an
important development for ThromboGenics, which will allow us to even more focus
our efforts on achieving our goals in the ophthalmology space. This new venture
should also enable an acceleration of the development of TB-403 for the
treatment of medulloblastoma, a devastating cancer that affects children and
adolescents. I would like to thank VIB for supporting us in this new venture and
for providing access to exciting basic research that, in time, will allow
Oncurious to build an oncology pipeline."
Johan Cardoen, Managing Director of VIB said," We are excited that we can
jointly translate the potential of VIB research by Prof. Peter Carmeliet into a
reality for patients. We believe that TB-403 has the potential to greatly
improve the treatment of medulloblastoma and a number of other pediatric
tumours, an area of great medical need. This collaboration illustrates the value
of excellence-driven basic research at VIB and ThromboGenics, and the pro-active
approach to "make the difference for patients". We are confident that together
with ThromboGenics, we can develop Oncurious into a leading oncology company."
BioInvent International AB will act as a co-development partner for this
oncology project.
ThromboGenics has retained the exclusive license for use of TB-403 in ophthalmic
indications.
Ends
For further information please contact:
+---------------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| | |
| | |
|ThromboGenics |VIB |
| | |
|Wouter Piepers, Global Head of Corporate |Johan Cardoen, Managing Director|
|Communications & Investor Relations |VIB |
| | |
|+32 16 75 13 10 / +32 478 33 56 32 |+32 9 244 66 11 / |
| |+32 475 98 45 25 |
|wouter.piepers(at)thrombogenics.com | |
| |Johan.Cardoen(at)vib.be |
| | |
+---------------------------------------------+--------------------------------+
About ThromboGenics
ThromboGenics is an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
and commercializing innovative ophthalmic and oncology medicines. The Company's
lead product, JETREA(® )(ocriplasmin), has been approved by the US FDA for the
treatment of symptomatic VMA and was launched in January 2013.
ThromboGenics signed a strategic partnership with Alcon, a division of Novartis,
for the commercialization of JETREA(®) outside the United States.
ThromboGenics is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Iselin, NJ
(US) and Dublin, Ireland. The Company is listed on the NYSE Euronext Brussels
exchange under the symbol THR. More information is available at
www.thrombogenics.com.
About VIB
VIB is an excellence-driven life sciences research institute in Flanders,
Belgium. VIB aims to push the limits of our understanding of molecular
mechanisms of life and disease and provides a stimulating environment to its
scientists. VIB unites the expertise of 1400 scientists originating from over
60 countries in a single institute. Since its inception VIB is also an
entrepreneurial biotechnology catalyst focusing on translating basic scientific
breakthroughs into pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. In
this context, VIB pro-actively translates biological insights into proof-of-
concept stage assets which can be the basis for active partnering with
industrial players or the launch of new Venture Capital-backed biotechnology
companies. VIB also actively engages in the public debate on biotechnology by
developing and disseminating a wide range of science-based information about all
aspects of biotechnology. VIB has a close partnership with four Flemish
universities - Ghent University, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, and Vrije
Universiteit Brussel. More info www.vib.be.
Important information about forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking".
Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and,
accordingly, entail and are influenced by various risks and uncertainties. The
Company therefore cannot provide any assurance that such forward-looking
statements will materialize and does not assume an obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or any other reason. Additional information concerning risks and
uncertainties affecting the business and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement is contained in
the Company's Annual Report.
This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or
purchase of securities or assets of ThromboGenics in any jurisdiction. No
securities of ThromboGenics may be offered or sold within the United States
without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in
compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable
U.S. state securities laws.
This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of
GlobeNewswire 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: ThromboGenics NV via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1910754]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 14.04.2015 - 07:30 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 385359
Anzahl Zeichen: 9044
contact information:
Town:
Leuven
Kategorie:
Business News
Diese Pressemitteilung wurde bisher 209 mal aufgerufen.
Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:
"ThromboGenics and VIB launch New Oncology Company"
steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung von
ThromboGenics NV (Nachricht senden)
Beachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschluß (gemäß TMG - TeleMedianGesetz) und dem Datenschutz (gemäß der DSGVO).
