Algeta enters research collaboration to evaluate thorium conjugated with a novel tumor-targeting antibody from Genzyme
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Oslo, Norway, 4 April 2011 - Algeta ASA (OSE: ALGETA), a company focused on the
development of novel targeted cancer therapeutics, announces that it has entered
a research collaboration with Genzyme to evaluate the potential of its Thorium
platform.
Under the terms of the collaboration, Genzyme will provide access to a novel and
proprietary tumor-targeting antibody, and Algeta will provide access to its
Thorium platform to attach the alpha emitting payload thorium-227. Both
companies will contribute resources towards the collaboration, which is expected
to last for up to a year initially.
Thomas Ramdahl, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, said: "We
are delighted to work with Genzyme on this important new approach to cancer
treatment, which combines our cancer-killing payload thorium-227 with the novel
antibody's own target specificity and tumor cell degradation properties. Algeta
has previously demonstrated the promise of our alpha-emitter thorium-227 as a
payload and we now look forward to applying our Thorium platform to this novel
antibody."
About the Thorium 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).
Current top-selling cancer drugs are based on 'naked' monoclonal antibodies, but
it is clear that next-generation products will require cancer-killing payloads
to maximize the effectiveness of therapy. Thorium-227 is linked to tumor-
targeting carrier molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, to reach its target.
By conjugating thorium-227 to a number of such molecules, each with a different
tumor target, Algeta is exploring the potential to create a pipeline of new-
generation alpha-pharmaceuticals to specifically seek and destroy cancers while
minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Importantly, the direct tumor cell killing action of alpha-pharmaceuticals
potentially overcomes drug-resistance mechanisms. In addition, they cause a
localized 'bystander effect', whereby tumor cells adjacent to those bound by the
alpha-pharmaceutical may also be destroyed even if they do not bind the drug
themselves. The short range of the alpha particle means that damage to healthy
cells and side effects may be minimized.
###
For further information, please contact
Andrew Kay, CEO +47 2300 7990 / +47 4840 1360 (mob)
Øystein Soug, CFO +47 2300 7990 / +47 9065 6525 (mob)
post(at)algeta.com
International media enquiries: +44 207 638 9571
Mark Swallow/David Dible 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 (based on radium-223) is a first-in-class,
highly targeted alpha-pharmaceutical under clinical evaluation to improve
survival in patients with bone metastases from advanced cancer. Its localized
action helps preserve the surrounding healthy tissue thereby limiting side-
effects.
The development of bone metastases represents a serious development for cancer
patients as they are associated with a dramatic decline in patient health and
quality of life, ultimately leading to death. Bone metastases represent a major
unmet medical need, occurring in up to 90% of certain late-stage cancers, e.g.
prostate, breast and lung.
Alpharadin is being developed under a development and commercialization
agreement with Bayer Schering Pharma AG, a major pharmaceutical company, and is
in a global phase III clinical trial (ALSYMPCA) to treat bone metastases
resulting from castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Alpharadin is also
under investigation in phase II clinical trials as a potential new treatment for
bone metastases in endocrine-refractory breast cancer patients, and in a phase
I/IIa trial in combination with docetaxel chemotherapy in for bone metastases
CRPC patients.
Algeta also aims to develop a future pipeline of tumor-targeting alpha-
pharmaceutical candidates based on the alpha particle emitter thorium-227,
through selective in-licensing and/or acquiring innovative technologies and
tumor-targeting molecules.
The Company is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and was founded in 1997. Algeta
listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in March 2007 (Ticker: ALGETA).
Alpharadin and Algeta are trademarks of Algeta ASA.
Forward-looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forecasts 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. 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 associated with technological
development, the risk that research & development will not yield new products
that achieve commercial success, the impact of competition, the ability to close
viable and profitable business deals, the risk of non-approval of patents not
yet granted and difficulties of obtaining relevant governmental approvals for
new products.
###
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act)
Press release:
http://hugin.info/134655/R/1502810/437790.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#1502810]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 04.04.2011 - 08:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 53101
Anzahl Zeichen: 7256
contact information:
Town:
Oslo
Kategorie:
Business News
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"Algeta enters research collaboration to evaluate thorium conjugated with a novel tumor-targeting antibody from Genzyme"
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