EvoGenix and Vegenics announce antibody collaboration
Antibody therapeutics company EvoGenix Limited (ASX:EGX) and Melbourne-based biotechnology company Vegenics Limited (65%
owned by Circadian Technologies Limited ASX:CIR) today announced that they had entered into a Technology Collaboration
agreement. EvoGenix will apply its proprietary technologies for antibody humanisation and optimisation to assist
Vegenics in developing an antibody therapeutic product targeting VEGF-D. The collaboration is designed to generate a
superior antibody that can safely enter trials in patients.
Vegenics has developed a strong patent portfolio covering drugs directed against VEGF-D, which may prove to be an
important target for treating certain forms of cancer. Vegenics will have the right to commercialise the product
developed as a result of the collaboration.
VEGF-D is a mediator in the formation of new blood vessels which are required to provide the nutrients for tumour
growth. It is a member of the same protein family that is targeted by Avastin, an anti-cancer antibody marketed by US
company Genentech. Avastin has been a highly successful product since its
Under the terms of the agreement, EvoGenix will receive research payments to carry out work on the Vegenics product.
Subsequently, EvoGenix will earn milestone payments as the product advances through the subsequent stages of preclinical
and clinical testing and regulatory approval and a royalty on product sales subject to marketing approval being
received.
The agreement marks the growing interest by Australian healthcare companies in the fast-growing antibody sector, which
is seen as the source of many further blockbuster drugs in the future.
In welcoming the agreement, Robert Klupacs, Managing Director of Vegenics commented, “We are delighted to work with
EvoGenix on this key product in our portfolio. Their technology capabilities will provide the essential first step to
accelerate development of our antibody as a therapeutic agent.”
Dr Rob Crombie, VP for Business Development at EvoGenix, noted “EvoGenix is pleased to be assisting with the development
of this new cancer product for Vegenics, and to see the growing strength of Australian companies in the antibody
sector.”
The agreement is the third collaboration entered by EvoGenix to exploit its proprietary protein and antibody development
technologies. Other collaborations are with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and Australian company CSL Ltd.
EvoGenix expects to utilise its proprietary technologies in additional selected relationships over the next 2-3 years.
About EvoGenix
EvoGenix Limited (ASX:EGX) has established leading technology capabilities for creating high value antibody
therapeutics. The company exploits its capabilities through technology collaborations with partner companies, and also
by development in-house of a succession of wholly-owned antibody products.
The EvoGenix technology converts a research-stage antibody, which is often produced in mice, into a high potency
therapeutic suitable for long term administration to patients. This is a key value-creating step in antibody
development.
The technology consists of two steps:
Superhumanisation™ , which converts a non-human antibody (generally made in mice) into a human-like antibody which can
be safely administered to patients without risk of rejection of the treatment
Optimisation, a process of fine-tuning of properties by making and testing small changes in the antibody, to ensure a
high potency product with the greatest chance of clinical success.
EvoGenix is progressively building company value by assembling a portfolio of short and longer term revenues resulting
from products successfully generated in technology collaborations. At the same time it is progressing its internal
product pipeline with current products aimed at the treatment of osteoporosis, lung cancer, melanoma and respiratory
infections. Most products will be out-licensed prior to the clinical stage to meet the existing high demand for new
antibody products in the pharmaceutical industry.
About Vegenics
Vegenics Limited is an Australian company jointly founded and owned by Circadian Technologies Limited, the New York-
based Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Licentia Ltd, the commercial arm of the University of Helsinki. Vegenics
is developing a pipeline of therapeutics based on antibody and peptide antagonists to the vascular endothelial growth
factors, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The VEGF technology, developed by world renowned Ludwig and Licentia scientists in Australia
and Finland, has been exclusively licensed to Vegenics. In addition Vegenics has entered exclusive licensing
relationships with Cogenesys Inc in respect of that company’s intellectual property rights to VEGF-C.
About LICR
The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research is a global non-profit organization committed to improving the understanding
and control of cancer through integrated laboratory and clinical discovery employing over 800 scientists in Branches
throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. Leveraging its worldwide network of investigators and the
ability to sponsor and conduct its own clinical trials, LICR is actively engaged in translating its discoveries into
applications for human benefit.
About Licentia
Licentia Ltd commercialises technologies with IP protection originating from Finnish research institutes and
universities, either through licensing or start-up companies. Since its establishment in 2001, Licentia has concluded
over 70 licence and related contracts, which have generated income in millions of euros to universities and inventors.
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