PCI Biotech signs pre-clinical research collaboration agreement with a top-10 large pharma company
Lysaker 10th September 2015 - PCI Biotech (PCIB) the Norwegian biopharmaceutical company, reported today that it has signed an agreement with an undisclosed top-10 large pharma company, with the aim to evaluate synergistic effects of the PCI technology with their therapeutic nucleic acid technology. Initially, the purpose of the pre-clinical research program is to determine whether PCI has the potential to enhance the therapeutic effect of their nucleic acid technology platform.
The current pre-clinical research agreement covers evaluation of technology compatibility and synergy based on in vitro studies. The costs related to the research collaboration will be covered by the pharma company, which is one of the global leaders in nucleic acid therapeutics. The companies will evaluate the data generated in this research collaboration and based on this explore the potential for a further partnership. The original evaluation period spans over 9 months, but may be further extended.
“I’m delighted to announce this research agreement with one of the largest pharma companies in the world. We believe that the PCI technology has the potential to play a role in the realisation of several new therapeutic modalities, including cancer immunotherapy and mRNA therapeutics. This agreement shows that external players share this view”. Per Walday, CEO.
About PCI Biotech
PCI Biotech is a cancer focused biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (Axess). The company is developing therapeutic products based on its proprietary photochemical internalization (PCI) technology. Originating from world leading research at the Norwegian Radium Hospital, the PCI technology works by inducing triggered endosomal release and may be used to unlock the true potential of a wide array of therapeutic modalities, such as small molecules, vaccines and nucleic acids.
The company currently has a bile duct cancer program in phase I/II clinical development. Bile duct cancer is an orphan indication without any approved medicinal products and a high medical need for better local treatments. It is an indication well suited for PCI treatment, with easy light access for intraluminal surface illumination through routine endoscopic methods and an active generic drug (gemcitabine) significantly enhanced by PCI.
The company is also developing PCI as a CTL (Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte) induction technology for therapeutic and prophylactic vaccination. It has been demonstrated both in vivo and ex vivo that PCI significantly increases the number of activated antigen-specific CTLs by enhancing the MHC I antigen presentation of antigen presenting cells. When applied in the emerging field of cancer immunotherapy, PCI can be used to enhance the important cytotoxic effect of therapeutic cancer vaccines.PCI Biotech follows a strategy to create value by improving the effect both of existing cancer drugs and by realizing the large potential in new therapeutics, including therapeutic vaccines.
For more information visit: www.pcibiotech.com
Contact information:PCI Biotech Holding ASA, Strandveien 55, N-1366 Lysaker
Per Walday, CEO, pw@pcibiotech.no, Mobile: +47 917 93 429