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Basel, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic, October 20, 2016 / B3C newswire / -- NBE Therapeutics AG and SOTIO a.s. today announced that the companies have entered into a collaboration for the development of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for improved cancer therapy. Under the agreement, NBE and SOTIO will collaborate on the discovery, non-clinical development and manufacturing of novel ADC products against undisclosed targets. The ADC products will be based on NBE’s proprietary antibody discovery and conjugation platforms, including NBE’s Transpo-mAb™ antibody platform, its site-specific SMAC™ conjugation technology and its novel ultra-potent toxin platform. SOTIO will have global responsibility for clinical development, registration and commercialization of the ADC products.
Upon exercise of the target options, NBE will be eligible for an option exercise fee, as well as milestone payments and royalties based on global net sales of the products. In addition, NBE will be reimbursed for its R&D expenses incurred in connection with the development of the product in collaboration with SOTIO.
As part of the deal, PPF Group, the owner of SOTIO, has committed to invest CHF10m in the next financing round of NBE.
Dr Ulf Grawunder, CEO of NBE Therapeutics commented: “We are excited about entering a strategic collaboration with SOTIO. This partnership validates our ADC platform and will allow us to further expand our ADC product pipeline. SOTIO’s proven clinical development expertise will help us to develop our ADC platform to the next level.”
Ladislav Bartonicek, CEO of SOTIO and shareholder of PPF commented: “NBE’s product platform addresses the key issues of today’s antibody-drug conjugates. With the very strong preclinical data generated by NBE that show superiority in terms of potency, safety and product homogeneity, as well as strong immunotherapeutic effects, this platform has the potential to provide new superior treatment options for cancer patients.”
About NBE Therapeutics AG
NBE-Therapeutics is a privately owned Swiss, Basel-based biotech company, founded in 2012 with the vision of developing next-generation ADC products. The products will be advanced to clinical proof of concept with the goal of improving treatment options for cancer patients. The company leverages proprietary platforms covering all aspects of ADC development: its patented Transpo-mAb Display™ technology for antibody discovery, patent pending SMAC-Technology™ for site-specific payload conjugation of toxins to antibodies and a novel ultra-potent anthracycline-based toxin platform. The company is financially backed by the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and additional private investors.
About SOTIO
SOTIO is an international biotechnology company leading the efforts of PPF Group to build a diverse biotechnology portfolio through its own research & development, collaborations, in-licensing, investments, mergers and acquisitions. The company is developing new medical therapies, focusing on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The most advanced project is its proprietary platform of active cellular immunotherapy (ACI) on the basis of dendritic cells. SOTIO is verifying the safety and efficacy of its DCVAC products through multiple Phase I to Phase III clinical trials. SOTIO is also looking to partner with other companies and institutions that develop promising oncology therapeutics. One of its affiliates, Cytune Pharma, a French biotechnology company focusing on developing novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, is currently advancing its RLI15 lead program to Phase I clinical trials in collaboration with SOTIO. SOTIO has facilities in Europe, the United States, China and Russia and has all the functionalities needed for research, clinical development and market access in-house.
About PPF
PPF Group invests into multiple market segments such as banking and financial services, telecommunications, biotechnology, real estate, retail, insurance and agriculture. PPF’s reach spans from Europe to Russia, the USA and across Asia. PPF Group owns assets exceeding EUR 21.6 billion (as at 31 December 2015).
Contacts
NBE Therapeutics AG
Ulf Grawunder
CEO,
T: +41 61 633 2230
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SOTIO a.s.
Richard Kapsa
Head of Communications
T: +420 224 174 448
M: +420 603 280 971
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