Baxter Partnering Update
14 June 2010
Announcement of Positive Results and Expansion of
Collaboration
Lipoxen plc (AIM: LPX), a bio-pharmaceutical company
specialising in the development of high-value differentiated
biologicals, vaccines and siRNA delivery, is pleased to provide an
update on its partnership with Baxter International Inc.,
("Baxter"). This exclusive world-wide development and licence
agreement is based on the PolyXen® PSA-Factor VIII project being
developed with Baxter, a world leader in the treatment of
haemophilia, for improved longer-acting forms of blood-clotting
factors.
Lipoxen and Baxter continue to move forward on preclinical work
using Lipoxen's PSA technology focused on linking Lipoxen's
PolyXen® drug delivery technology with Baxter's proprietary
proteins. In recent preclinical models positive results with
PSA-Factor VIII have been shown. These early positive results
provide both Baxter and Lipoxen with confidence in the programme's
potential to transition into clinical development.
Importantly, and as first announced in December 2006, Lipoxen
has the potential to receive up to $73 million in cash milestones
plus royalties as the first candidate progresses through clinical
development and commercialisation.
Baxter is also investigating the Lipoxen PSA technology for
other potential factor replacement therapies in the treatment of
haemophilia A, B and for patients with inhibitors. The Factor VIII
global market size is approximately $5 billion whilst the Inhibitor
and Factor IX markets were $1.2 billion and $600 million
respectively (Sources: Jefferies International / Datamonitor).
Baxter is also investigating the Lipoxen PSA technology for
other potential factor replacement therapies in the treatment of
haemophilia A, B and for patients with inhibitors. The Factor VIII
global market size is approximately $5 billion whilst the Inhibitor
and Factor IX markets were $1.2 billion and $600 million
respectively (Sources: Jefferies International / Datamonitor).
Lipoxen's PolyXen® is an enabling technology for protein drug
delivery. It uses the natural polymer polysialic acid (PSA) to
prolong the active life and improve the stability of therapeutic
peptides and proteins. It can also be used for small molecule
drugs.
Commenting on this announcement, Scott Maguire, CEO
said:
"Baxter is one of Lipoxen's most important partners and the
Company's third largest shareholder. We are extremely encouraged by
the results seen to date. In light of the strong scientific
progress that has been made over the last three years, there is
clear potential for both the lead program PSA-Factor VIII but also
for broadening this collaboration for other haemophilia drug
therapies. Importantly, progressing this PSA-Factor-VIII programme
alone through the clinic will trigger additional cash payments to
the Company which would significantly advance our objective of
reaching the pivotal cash inflection point in our Company's
development to convert Lipoxen into a cash-generative enterprise.
We look forward to providing a further update on this programme in
due course."
Enquiries:
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Lipoxen plc
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+44 (0)20 7389 5015
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M. Scott Maguire, Chief Executive Officer
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Singer Capital Markets (nominated adviser)
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+44 (0)20 3205 7500
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Jeff Keating / Claes Spång
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Buchanan Communications
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+44 (0)20 7466 5000
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Lisa Baderoon / Catherine Breen
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