Corporate | 28 June 2005 11:14
Biotest AG and Boehringer Ingelheim Enter Into Collaboration Agreement
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Biotest AG and Boehringer Ingelheim Enter Into Collaboration Agreement
Dreieich, June 28, 2005. Biotest AG and Boehringer Ingelheim have concluded an
agreement in June 2005 for a joint research effort to investigate the
efficacy of the monoclonal antibody BT-061 in animal models of asthma.
BT-061 is directed against a target on T-cells mediating a unique,
immunoregulatory mode of action. Previous studies conducted in the
collaborative partnership between Biotest and Boehringer have confirmed the
special properties of BT-061 compared to 15 other monoclonal antibodies. The
candidate is Biotest’s most advanced monoclonal antibody and has shown
promising results in early clinical trials in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis and psoriasis. Biotest develops the antibody in these autoimmune
diseases and currently produces material to continue clinical development.
The immunomodulatory properties of BT-061 provide the scientific rationale to
use this candidate in autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergic diseases. Due
to its TNF-independent mode of action, BT-061 is not limited to diseases such
as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis in which the cytokine TNF plays a major
role. This is in contrast to anti-TNF therapeutics, a class of
biopharmaceuticals that is already very successful, but can not be used in
TNF-independent diseases. Accordingly, both companies, Boehringer Ingelheim
and Biotest, are very keen on exploring the additional potential of the
antibody.
About Biotest AG
Biotest AG, Dreieich, is a fully integrated pharmaceutical and diagnostics
company with approximately 1,000 employees world-wide. Biotest is specialized
in the development, production and marketing of therapeutic and diagnostic
systems with a focus on clinical immunology, autoimmune diseases, haematology
and intensive care medicine. The product portfolio includes human plasma
derivatives such as immunoglobulin preparations and blood factors as well as
test systems for cell diagnosis, transfusion diagnosis and tests for hygiene
monitoring. In addition to further innovative plasma derivatives, Biotest’s
therapeutic pipeline comprises several monoclonal antibody candidates. Biotest
AG’s shares are admitted to Prime Standard trading.
For more information please visit www.biotest.com.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical
companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 144
affiliates in 45 countries and nearly 36,000 employees. Since it was founded
in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching,
developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic
value for human and veterinary medicine.
In 2004, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 8.2 billion euro while
spending nearly one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment
Prescription Medicines on research and development.
For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Investor Relations: Hubert Bötsch, Phone: +49 (0) 6103 801-444,
Telefax: +49 (0) 6103 801-880, E-Mail: hubert_boetsch@biotest.de
Biotest AG, Landsteinerstr. 5, D-63303 Dreieich, www.biotest.com
WKN, ISIN Stammaktie: 522720, DE0005227201
WKN, ISIN Vorzugsaktie: 522723, DE0005227235
Notiert: Prime Standard/Amtlicher Handel
Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart
End of announcement (c)DGAP 28.06.2005
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WKN: 522720; ISIN: DE0005227201; Index:
Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-
Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg und Stuttgart
281114 Jun 05