PCI Biotech and BioNTech initiates preclinical research collaboration
Oslo, 1 September 2016 - PCI Biotech (OSE: PCIB), a cancer focused
biopharmaceutical company, and BioNTech AG, a fully integrated biotechnology
company developing individualized cancer immunotherapies, today announced that
they are initiating a preclinical research collaboration involving the
University of Zurich.
The partnership is governed by a preclinical research collaboration agreement.
In brief, the preclinical research collaboration will evaluate technology
compatibility and synergy based on in vivo studies performed by the University
of Zurich. The companies will evaluate results achieved from this research
collaboration and then explore the potential for a further partnership. PCI
Biotech has already a collaboration agreement with the University of Zurich and
the research is funded through the existing agreement.
Per Walday, CEO of PCI Biotech, said: "I'm very pleased to announce another
research agreement in the field of nucleic acid therapeutics. We believe that
the PCI technology has the potential to play a role in the realisation of
several new therapeutic modalities. We look forward to explore synergies with
BioNTech's pioneering disruptive technologies."
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 siRNA therapeutics, thereby addressing one of the major
bottlenecks facing this emerging and promising field.
About BioNTech AG
BioNTech AG is an immunotherapy leader with bench-to-market capabilities,
developing truly personalized, well tolerated and potent treatments for cancer
and other diseases. Established by clinicians and scientists the Group is
pioneering disruptive technologies ranging from individualized mRNA based
medicines through innovative Chimeric Antigen Receptors /T-cell Receptor-based
products and novel antibody checkpoint immunomodulators. BioNTech's clinical
programs are supported by an in-house molecular diagnostics unit whose products
include MammaTyper® a molecular in-vitro diagnostic kit, marketed under CE and
IVD marking in Europe and certain other countries. Founded in 2008, BioNTech is
privately held, with Strüngmann Family Office as a majority shareholder, having
closed the largest initial financing in the European biopharma sector's history.
Information about BioNTech is available at www.biontech.de.
Contact information:
PCI Biotech Holding ASA, Ullernchausséen 64, N-0379 Oslo, Norway.
www.pcibiotech.com
Per Walday, CEO, pw@pcibiotech.no, Mobile: +47 917 93 429.
BioNTech AG, An der Goldgrube 12, D-55131 Mainz, Germany. www.biontech.de
Regina Jehle, Public Relations, Regina.Jehle@biontech.de, Tel.:
+49 1631 9084 1273
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section
5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.