PRESS RELEASE
March 5, 2012, 8:05 a.m. EST
EXTON, Pa., Mar 05, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Nuron Biotech Inc. today announced it has acquired an exclusive license of technology and product rights relating to Chimigen(R) multi-antigen vaccines from Akshaya Bio Inc., of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Nuron Biotech has also acquired an exclusive option to license prophylactic and therapeutic products for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Currently, no therapeutic vaccine for HBV and no prophylactic vaccine for HCV exist on the market. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"These licenses and options fit incredibly well with Nuron Biotech's strategy of identifying and in-licensing life-saving and life extending product candidates in the areas of vaccines and biologics," said Shankar Musunuri, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Nuron Biotech. "This chimeric vaccine platform (Chimigen(R) technology), which is used in generating both therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines, is advanced to the point where we can expect to transition our first candidate into a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2013."
"This unique technology provides Nuron Biotech with the capability to develop a highly efficient vaccine for the treatment and prevention of HBV and HCV by inducing both cellular (T cell) and humoral (B cell, antibody) immune responses to clear disease," said Robert G. Gish, M.D., Chief of Clinical Hepatology and Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of California, San Diego. Dr. Gish is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Nuron Biotech. "HBV and HCV are life-altering and potentially fatal diseases, and this technology may offer a break-through for a new generation of novel therapies and preventative vaccines for patients around the world."
Currently, 380 million people worldwide are infected with chronic HBV, which is not curable by any known therapy. More than 170 million people are infected by HCV, which is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma.
About Chimigen(R) Vaccine Technology
The bifunctional nature of the chimeric multi-antigen vaccine technology represents a unique and direct approach in the therapy of chronic infectious diseases by specifically targeting antigen-presenting cell receptors with the most effective combination of viral antigen(s) and novel antibody tail fragment, the chimeric antigen. This technology offers to induce a balanced cellular as well as humoral immune response to attack chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may offer protection from infection.
About Nuron Biotech
Nuron Biotech is developing novel biologics and vaccines for the prevention and treatment of chronic neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. Our team of industry veterans is advancing products to meet unmet medical needs in the areas of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, hepatitis B and hepatitis C for patients across the globe. Our lead drug candidate, NU100 (interferon beta-1b), is a new chemical entity currently in Phase 3 for patients with multiple sclerosis. www.nuronbiotech.com .
SOURCE: Nuron Biotech Inc.
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