|
||
| |||||||
|
Cobra signs agreement with Hawaii Biotech Inc to manufacture two novel protein vaccines against Dengue fever and West Nile disease for US clinical trials
Keele, UK, 2nd March
2005 – Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc (AIM:CBF.L),
has announced that it has signed an agreement with Hawaii Biotech, USA, to
manufacture and supply material for clinical trials of vaccines against Dengue
fever and West Nile disease. The financial terms and conditions of the
agreement were not disclosed.
Hawaii Biotech’s vaccine technology is based on
the production of proprietary genetically engineered antigens (proteins) that
produce immune responses equivalent to or better than traditional live or
inactivated virus approaches. The Dengue vaccine product consists of an
adjuvant and five viral proteins which have been cloned and expressed in
insect cells. The West Nile vaccine product consists of a single recombinant
protein and adjuvant. The vaccines potentially have a significantly improved
safety profile compared to traditional approaches.
Dengue fever and West Nile disease are growing
problems in North America. Dengue fever is expanding globally with an
estimated 50 million to 100 million cases of Dengue worldwide annually, with
more than 20,000 deaths. Caused by a virus that is carried by mosquitoes it
produces severe flu-like symptoms that can lead to a life threatening
haemorrhagic fever. Unknown in North America until 1999, the West Nile virus
is now permanently established throughout this territory. A significant cause
of human illness in the US from 2002, its most serious manifestation is fatal
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). West Nile virus also causes disease
in numerous wild and domestic animal species.
Commenting on the agreement, Dr David
Thatcher, CEO Cobra said:
“This is a significant program for Cobra and we
are thrilled to have been selected by Hawaii Biotech. Today’s announcement is
a valuable endorsement of our ability to manufacture protein vaccine products
for US clinical trials and demonstrates our continued ability to penetrate the
North American biopharmaceutical market.”
David G. Watumull, President and CEO,
Hawaii Biotech added:
“Hawaii Biotech,Inc is pleased to enter this
collaboration with Cobra Biomanufacturing Plc. for the cGMP manufacture of our
Dengue and West Nile recombinant subunit vaccine candidates. This is an
important step in the preclinical development of these vaccines and critical
to the successful launch of our anticipated Phase 1 clinical trials for both
Dengue and West Nile vaccines in 2006. We have been impressed by the
experience Cobra brings to the table and look forward to a mutually beneficial
collaboration.”
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
David Thatcher, Chief Executive Officer
Cobra Biomanufacturing
Tel:+ 44
(0) 1782 714181
David G. Watumull, President and CEO
Hawaii Biotech, Inc.
Tel:+1 808
486 5333
Eileen Paul
Northbank Communications
Tel: +44
(0) 1260 296500
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 GMP (Good
Manufacturing Practice) standard DNA manufacture in Europe.
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
About Hawaii Biotech:
Hawaii Biotech, Inc. is a privately held
biopharmaceutical company engaged in the research and development of human
pharmaceuticals. It is currently developing products from two broad product
platforms: Anti-inflammatory small molecules that modulate the NF-κB
inflammatory pathway in disease and downregulate the production of
inflammatory mediators and cytokines - such as COX2 and TNF-α - without the
side effects of steroids, NSAIDS, or approved COX2 inhibitors; and first world
vaccines with potentially large markets and attractive margins: a West Nile
vaccine targeting the U.S. and Canada; and a dengue fever vaccine for
travelers from first world countries to dengue endemic areas.
|
|
| ||||||||