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Keele, UK, 30th January 2006 - Cobra
Biomanufacturing Plc. (AIM : CBF) has signed a contract
with the Australian company Replikun Biotech to support the development of
an innovative gene therapy method. Cobra will construct and establish a
packaging cell line producing KUN-GMCSF, a potent and novel gene therapy
system for the treatment of cancer.
Commenting on the contract, David Thatcher, CEO at
Cobra, said: “We are delighted to engage with Replikun for this exciting
project. It is a valuable endorsement of our ability to work with novel
viruses and vaccines, and also demonstrates our continued expansion within
the Australian biopharmaceutical market."
Dr Shane Storey, CEO at Replikun, said, “We are very
impressed with Cobra’s expertise in the manufacture of novel viruses and
vector systems and are confident that they will deliver the cell lines in
time and with the highest quality as required for our KUN-GMCSF program.”
About
Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc
Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc is a leading international manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals to the life science industry. Founded in 1992, Cobra provides innovative manufacturing solutions to the biopharmaceutical industry covering DNA, virus, cellular therapeutics and recombinant protein products. Cobra was the first company to develop and gain GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standard DNA manufacture in Europe, with specific expertise in DNA medicines. A range of unique, patented technologies, underpins this revenue generating business. Cobra floated on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2002 raising £7 million and raised a further £5.2 million in May 2003 in order to further expand capacity in Oxford UK. Cobra is committed to conducting its manufacturing activities in accordance with appropriate current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Good Control Laboratory Practice (GCLP) regulations and/or guidelines. The MHRA has granted a “Manufacturer’s Authorization for Investigational Medicinal Products” under the Directive 2001/20/EC and applies to both the Keele and Oxford facilities. www.cobrabio.com
About KUN-GMCSF
KUN-GMCSF enables the expression of a protein in human cells that stimulates the immune system to overcome a tumour’s ability to evade the immune system, thereby effecting specific tumour killing. It uses a novel gene delivery approach based on Replikun’s proprietary vector system Kunrep Vector Systems™, derived from the Kunjin virus. About Replikun Biotech Pty Ltd Replikun Biotech Pty Ltd (Replikun) is a privately held immunotherapy company founded in March 2005. The company is focused on the development and commercialization of novel immunotherapies to combat infectious diseases and cancer. Replikun offers licensing and collaboration opportunities based on KUNrep Vectors™, its proprietary gene delivery and expression technology. The technology is underpinned by an integrated portfolio of granted and pending patent applications which comprise the KUNrep Vectors™, their pharmaceutical applications and methods of manufacture. Replikun is conducting pre-clinical studies of KUN-GMCSF, an investigational oncology candidate developed using the KUNrep Vector™ system. www.replikun.com
For further information please contact:
Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc David Thatcher, Chief Executive Officer, Tel: + 44 (0) 1782 714181 Northbank Communications Marc Egelhofer, Tel: 44 (0) 1260 296 500 Buchanan Communications Tim Anderson / Rebecca Skye Dietrich, Tel: 44 (0) 207 466 5000 |
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