Extension of preclinical research collaboration agreement with a top-10 large pharma company

Oslo (Norway), 10 July 2017 – PCI Biotech (OSE: PCIB), a cancer focused biopharmaceutical company today announced that they are extending the preclinical research collaboration with an undisclosed top-10 pharma company, initiated in September 2015. The extended evaluation period spans over six months, until the end of 2017, and may be further extended.  

The pharma company is one of the global leaders in nucleic acid therapeutics. The aim of the extension is to further evaluate the synergistic effects of both parties' technology platforms and to determine whether PCI Biotech's fimaNAc technology has the potential to enhance the therapeutic effect of the partner's nucleic acid therapeutic compounds. 

The previous agreement covered in vitro studies, while this extension is supported by an expansion of the preclinical research collaboration agreement to cover evaluation of technological compatibility and synergy based on in vivo studies. The companies will evaluate the data generated in this research collaboration and explore the potential for a further partnership based on this outcome.  

Contact information:         
Per Walday, CEO
pw@pcibiotech.no
Mobile: +47 917 93 429 

About PCI Biotech

PCI Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on development and commercialisation of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer through its innovative photochemical internalisation (PCI) technology platform. PCI is applied to three distinct anticancer paradigms: fimaCHEM (enhancement of chemotherapeutics for localised treatment of cancer), fimaVACC (T-cell induction technology for therapeutic vaccination), and fimaNAc (nucleic acid therapeutics delivery).

Photochemical internalisation induces triggered endosomal release that is used to unlock the true potential of a wide array of therapeutic modalities. The company’s lead fimaCHEM programme consists of a clinical Phase I/II clinical study in bile duct cancer, an orphan indication with a high unmet need and without approved products. fimaVACC applies a unique mode of action to enhance the essential cytotoxic effect of therapeutic cancer vaccines, which works in synergy with several other state-of-the-art vaccination technologies. fimaNAc utilises the endosomal release to provide intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, such as mRNA and RNAi therapeutics, thereby addressing one of the major bottlenecks facing this emerging and promising field.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which as such are not historical facts, but are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. These assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this announcement by such forward-looking statements. PCI Biotech disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NewsKristin Eivindvik