MediGene and sanofi pasteur agree to undertake a collaborative
Research Agreement to develop high affinity monoclonal T cell
receptors (mTCRs) for vaccine validation
Martinsried, Germany and Oxford, UK - 19. December 2006. MediGene
AG, (Frankfurt, PrimeStandard: MDG) announced today that it has
signed an agreement with sanofi pasteur, the vaccines business of
sanofi-aventis. The agreement is to use the novel high affinity
monoclonal T cell receptors (mTCRs) to directly validate presentation
of specific T cell epitopes important in vaccine development and
clinical trials. MediGene recently acquired the mTCR technology with
the acquisition of Avidex Ltd.
The highly innovative mTCR technology enables the production of fully
human, soluble T cell receptors with high affinity. These mTCRs
recognise and bind to specific antigens presented by the Major
Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).
MediGene will undertake the research programme using high affinity
mTCRs which recognise specific HLA-peptide complexes on the surface
of antigen presenting cells or tumor cells. The research has the
objective of creating vaccine validation tools for sanofi pasteur by
detecting these complexes.
"Currently we are developing mTCRs as therapeutics. However, here we
will use mTCRs to validate the presence of certain epitopes relevant
to sanofi pasteur's vaccine portfolio" said Dr Peter Heinrich, CEO of
MediGene. "Today's announcement highlights the versatility of our
mTCR platform and our ability to create early value from our mTCR
platform through partnerships" he added.
About mTCRs: The breakthrough monoclonal T cell receptor (mTCR)
technology platform enables the production of fully human, soluble T
cell receptors with picomolar affinity and exceptional selectivity.
Unlike conventional therapeutic antibodies, mTCRs are ideal for
targeting agents for all disease proteins; including intracellular
tumour targets thereby offering a substantial advantage in the number
of disease specific targets available. Avidex has assembled a toolbox
of fusion partner effector molecules for targeted delivery by mTCRs
to allow the rapid development of therapeutic products against a
range of disease types. mTCRs have also been used to successfully
validate the presence of cancer antigen targets for therapeutic
vaccine use, offering significant advantages both during vaccine
development and subsequent batch QC.
About sanofi-aventis: The sanofi-aventis Group is the world's
third-largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe.
Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is
developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas:
cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases,
central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. The
sanofi-aventis Group is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New
York (NYSE: SNY). For more information, please visit:
www.sanofi-aventis.com.
Sanofi pasteur, the vaccines business of the sanofi-aventis Group,
sold more than a billion doses of vaccine in 2005, making it possible
to protect more than 500 million people across the globe. The company
offers the broadest range of vaccines, providing protection against
20 bacterial and viral diseases. For more information, please visit:
www.sanofipasteur.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained
herein represent the judgment of MediGene as of the date of this
release. These forward-looking statements are no guarantees for
future performance, and the forward-looking events discussed in this
press release may not occur. MediGene disclaims any intent or
obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements. The
MediGene-Logo is a trademark of MediGene AG.
- Ends -
MediGene AG is a publicly quoted (Frankfurt: Prime Standard: MDG)
biotechnology company located in Martinsried/Munich, Germany, with
subsidiaries in Oxford, UK and San Diego, USA. MediGene is the first
German biotech company with a drug on the market. A second drug,
Polyphenon® E Ointment, has been approved by the FDA. In addition,
several drug candidates are currently in clinical development.
MediGene also possesses innovative platform technologies. The
company's core competence lies in research and development of novel
approaches in anti cancer therapies. Thus MediGene focuses on
indications of high medical need and great economic opportunities.
Contact MediGene AG:
Email: investor@medigene.com
Fax: ++49 - 89 - 85 65 - 2920
Julia Hofmann/Dr. Georg Dönges, Public Relations Tel.:
++49 - 89 - 85 65 - 3317
Dr. Michael Nettersheim, Investor Relations
Tel.: ++49 - 89 - 85 65 - 2946
Contact Avidex Ltd.
Dr Neill Moray MacKenzie, SVP Commercial Strategy and Business
Development
T: +44 (0) 1235 438600
E: neill.mackenzie@avidex.com
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Chris Gardner/Valerie Auffray
+44 (0) 20 7638 9571
chris.gardner@citigatedr.co.uk
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