DIREVO and Pfizer collaborate on therapeutic proteases
Cologne, Germany, November 12, 2007 - DIREVO Biotech AG today
announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with Pfizer, Inc.,
New York, to develop therapeutic proteases for different targets as
potential treatments for various diseases. Direvo will apply its
protein-engineering capabilities to create novel proteases with
engineered specificity for these targets.
Under the terms of the agreement, Direvo will use its protein
engineering expertise to discover and optimize preclinical
candidates. Pfizer will then be responsible for the development and
marketing of the respective compounds. Direvo will receive payments
upon reaching certain research and development milestones as well as
royalties for any resulting product that reaches the market.
"We are proud that Pfizer has chosen Direvo as a partner for
development of an exciting novel class of protein drugs," said Dr.
Thomas von Rueden, CEO of Direvo. "This collaboration is an important
commercial validation for Direvo's proven world-class
technology-platform for the generation of optimized proteases with
engineered specificity for various indications" he added.
Proteases are a class of powerful therapeutic agents already used in
the treatment of a variety of conditions. They are naturally
occurring enzymes responsible in the human body for proteolysis, the
process by which proteins are broken down into individual amino
acids. Therapeutically, they can be engineered so as to be able to
selectively proteolyse pathogenic agents such as tumor cells, viruses
or bacteria.
- ends -
Direvo Biotech AG
DIREVO Biotech AG generates superior bioengineered products and
processes for industrial and pharmaceutical markets by enhancing
nature's potential. The Company's portfolio includes optimized
proteins, optimized bioprocesses and other bio-molecules, in
research, in commercial development and on the market. Direvo
develops products both independently and with global leaders such as
Danisco/Genencor, Nestlé and Pfizer. Direvo Biotech is committed to a
tailored approach to addressing customer needs and market
opportunities.
Direvo's industrial biotechnology business focuses on food & feed,
and biorefinery markets. The Company provides solutions through
discovery, development and scale up of enzymes, other molecules and
strains. Industrial biotechnology at Direvo emphasizes environmental
sustainability and the use of renewable resources. For example,
collaboration with Danisco A/S yielded a significantly improved
phytase enzyme that has reached the market as part of a
Danisco/Genencor product.
Direvo's biopharmaceutical business focuses on therapeutic antibodies
and proteases. Applying its powerful and proven protein engineering
capabilities, Direvo generates improved second generation
therapeutics and discovers and optimizes novel first-generation
therapeutics. Direvo offers early stage partnering from internal
discovery programs as well as collaborations on the optimization of a
wide range of therapeutic proteins.
DIREVO Biotech AG is privately held and located in Cologne, Germany.
Additional information is available at: www.direvo.com
Contact:
DIREVO Biotech AG
Dr. Thomas von Rüden CEO
Telephone: + 49 221 8887-125
E-mail: info@direvo.com
