19.09.2016
WILEX AG DE000A11QVV0
DGAP-News: WILEX AG: Subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma Signs Option Agreement with Max Delbrück Center
DGAP-News: WILEX AG / Key word(s): Alliance
WILEX AG: Subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma Signs Option Agreement with Max
Delbrück Center
19.09.2016 / 07:17
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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PRESS RELEASE
WILEX AG: Subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma Signs Option Agreement with Max
Delbrück Center
- Agreement covers various BCMA antibodies developed by Max Delbrück
Center
- Heidelberg Pharma starts internal development project for multiple
myeloma based on its proprietary ATAC (Antibody Targeted Amanitin
Conjugates) technology with BCMA antibodies
Munich, Germany, 19 September 2016 - WILEX AG (ISIN DE000A11QVV0 / WL6 /
FWB) today announced that its subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma GmbH signed an
exclusive option agreement with the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular
Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) in Berlin covering various BCMA
antibodies. Financial details are not disclosed but will not have a
material impact on WILEX' cash guidance.
BCMA (B-cell maturation antigens) is a surface protein that is highly
expressed in multiple myeloma cells and to which the selected antibodies
specifically bind. Scientists of the Max Delbrück Center developed those
BCMA specific antibodies. Heidelberg Pharma has generated several
proprietary ATAC molecules with it and generated comprehensive preclinical
data. Based on these data, Heidelberg Pharma has selected the lead
candidate HDP-101. HDP-101 consists of a BCMA antibody, a specific linker
and the toxin Amanitin. Arrangements for formal non-clinical as well as
clinical development of HDP-101 have been started.
Preclinical data showed that HDP-101 had strong in vitro antitumor activity
and led to complete tumor remission in mouse models for multiple myeloma
even at very low doses. In addition, tolerability studies conducted in
different in vivo models identified a very favourable therapeutic window.
Multiple myeloma is the third most common hematologic cancer and represents
a major unmet medical need where new, more effective therapies are urgently
needed.
Professor Andreas Pahl, Head of Research and Development at WILEX AG and
member of the executive management of Heidelberg Pharma GmbH, said: "We are
delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate the potential of our ATAC
technology using BCMA antibodies of the Max Delbrück Center. Our early
research with these antibodies has been very promising and we are excited
to be able to bring forward a candidate, HDP-101, into further development.
If all goes as expected HDP-101 will be Heidelberg Pharma's first ATAC
product candidate to enter the clinic. This is a significant achievement
for our company which we expect in 2018."
"We are delighted that Heidelberg Pharma intends to develop a new drug for
the treatment of multiple myeloma based on the work of our scientists",
said Professor Martin Lohse, Chair of the Board and Scientific Director of
Max Delbrück Center. "Despite significant progress in treating multiple
myeloma, the disease is still not curable, and so new approaches, such as
that being developed by Heidelberg Pharma, are urgently needed to help this
patient population."
The contract was negotiated in collaboration with Ascenion GmbH, an IP
asset management company and technology transfer partner of the MDC.
About Heidelberg Pharma's proprietary ATAC technology
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the high affinity and specificity
of antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic small molecules for the
treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. ATACs are ADCs that are
bound to highly potent amatoxin molecules. Amatoxins are small bicyclic
peptides naturally occurring in the death cap mushroom. They inhibit mRNA
transcription by binding to RNA polymerase II, a mechanism that is crucial
for the survival of eukaryotic cells. In preclinical testing, ATACs have
been shown to be highly efficacious, overcoming frequently encountered
resistance mechanisms and combatting even quiescent tumor cells.
About WILEX and Heidelberg Pharma
WILEX AG is a biopharmaceutical company based in Munich, Germany, that
serves as a parent and holding company. The Company's research and
development work is conducted by its subsidiary, Heidelberg Pharma GmbH in
Ladenburg. Heidelberg Pharma is focused on developing an innovative ADC
technology platform based on the compound Amanitin (ATAC technology) and
also provides preclinical drug research and development services. WILEX has
diagnostic and therapeutic Phase III drug candidates, which are available
for outlicensing. WILEX is listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange: ISIN
DE000A11QVV0 / WKN A11QVV / Symbol WL6. More information is available at
www.wilex.com
About Max Delbrück Center
The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association
(MDC) was founded in January 1992 on the recommendation of the German
Council of Science and Humanities ("Wissenschaftsrat") with the goal of
linking basic science to clinical research. It was named for Max Delbrück,
a physicist, biologist, and Nobel Prize winner. Currently the institute
employs more than 1600 people from nearly 60 countries; over 1300 of those
are directly involved in research. The MDC's annual budget is over 80
million Euros, along with substantial third-party funding obtained by
individual scientific groups. As is the case with all Helmholtz institutes,
the MDC receives 90 percent of its funding from the federal government and
10 percent from Berlin, the state where it resides.
Contact IR/PRsupport WILEX AG MC Services AG Sylvia Wimmer Katja Arnold (CIRO) Corporate Communications Executive Director & Partner Tel.: +49 (0)89-41 31 38-29 Tel.: +49 (0)89-210 228-40 Email: investors[at]wilex.com Mobile: +49 (0)160 9360 3022 Grillparzerstr. 18, 81675 Email: katja.arnold[at]mc-services.eu Munich, GermanyThis communication contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the Company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward- looking terminology such as "estimates", "believes", "expects", "may", "will" "should" "future", "potential" or similar expressions or by a general discussion of the Company's strategy, plans or intentions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results of operations, financial condition, performance, or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors and partners are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19.09.2016 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: WILEX AG Grillparzerstr. 18 81675 München Germany Phone: +49 (0)89 41 31 38 - 0 Fax: +49 (0)89 41 31 38 - 99 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.wilex.com ISIN: DE000A11QVV0 WKN: A11QVV Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange End of News DGAP News Service --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 502867 19.09.2016
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