With expansion a prime focus for businesses worldwide, many are looking towards rapidly establishing new regions of growth, particularly in Asia, Pacifi c Rim countries.
The latest business developments from across Asia by Heather Hobbs To appear in our next issue, send your Business and Financial News stories to
heather@intlabmate.com
This section of International Labmate will especially look at the success of both Asian and European companies with established premises or business partnerships, highlighting the opportunities that exist while realising potential for other companies to move into export markets.
Partnership Focused on Alternative Therapies for Solid Tumours
Following an extension of its partnership agreement with PinotBio, a clinical-stage oncology-focused biotechnology company, Aptamer Group has announced the development of new drug conjugates for use as precision chemotherapeutics.
The partnership, fi rst initiated in June 2021 targeting haematological cancers, has demonstrated the viability of combining Optimer binders with the Korean company’s antibody- drug conjugate (ADC) platform for targeted drug delivery. They are now jointly developing novel format ADC alternatives to four specifi ed non-blood-based cancer biomarkers: Nectin-4, Tissue Factor, CEACAM5 and CD73, which offer the potential to produce therapeutics with a smaller size for increased penetration of solid tumours.
Both parties will jointly own the developed assets, with each party retaining ownership over the conjugate’s individual components. If successful these therapeutic modalities will open opportunities for downstream value creation in the form of licensing fees, milestones, and or royalties.
Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Offi cer of Aptamer Group (pictured), commented: “The data from the fi rst phase of this work, combining our Optimer technology with PinotBio’s
linker and chemotherapeutic payloads, were very promising and demonstrated the power of Optimer binders to develop effective enabling technologies resulting in drug-conjugate development targeting different disease states. As a result, we are very excited to be able to extend this collaboration with PinotBio to develop Optimer- drug conjugates as novel cancer
treatments. We are encouraged by the potential of these novel format drugs to make a difference and
improve the quality of cancer patient lives through reduced side effects, and we look forward to providing updates in due
course.”
Dr Dooyoung Jung, Chief Executive Offi cer of PinotBio, commented: “The development of Optimer-drug conjugates, as next-generation ADCs, in collaboration with Aptamer Group highlights the compatibility of PINOT-ADCTM with antibodies, as well as advanced technologies such as Optimers. The tailored targeting methods of Optimer for drug delivery combined with PINOT-ADC holds promise for smaller, improved drug delivery with a greater therapeutic index that will improve treatment for cancer patients globally.”
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/rQYy 58028pr@reply-direct.com
Data on CAH Therapy Trial Anticipated in 2024
UK-based pharmaceutical group Diurnal has announced the start of patient treatment under clinical trials of its hydrocortisone modifi ed-release hard capsules (DNL-0200 – approved in Europe and the UK under the commercial name Efmody®) for adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
The Phase 3 randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, clinical trial, known as CONnECT, is evaluating the effi cacy, safety and tolerability of modifi ed-release hydrocortisone compared with immediate-release hydrocortisone replacement therapy in participants aged 16-years and over with CAH. The pivotal study for key US and Japan markets, estimated to be worth together in excess of $100 million per annum, will recruit up to 150 subjects with CAH who will be treated for a period of 52 weeks in centres across Japan, the US, France, and Turkey.
It is anticipated that recruitment for the study, which is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreed with the US FDA, will take up to a year to recruit with subsequent data readout anticipated in 2024. The SPA provides agreement that the Phase 3 trial design adequately addresses objectives that would support the regulatory submission for drug approval.
Acquisition Refl ects Steady Internationalisation Gains for Diagnostics Group
as a reliable partner for system solutions and offers our customers additional options for diagnostics.”
Established in 2006, the Australian company brought its patented Multiplex Tandem PCR (MT-PCR) to market with current technology enabling simultaneous detection of up to 24 pathogens or resistance genes from a single sample.
Christian Dreher (left) and Scott Gilroy
German biotech R-Biopharm AG has progressed its internationalisation strategy by entering new clinical diagnostics market sectors through the acquisition of AusDiagnostics, a specialist and manufacturer of molecular biology multiplex diagnostics, extraction reagents and laboratory automation equipment.
“The existing and future molecular biology multiplex analysis platforms for syndrome testing from system supplier AusDiagnostics broadens our molecular biology expertise and perfectly complements our present clinical diagnostics portfolio,” said Christian Dreher, CEO of Darmstadt located R-Biopharm. “The acquisition strengthens our position
AusDiagnostics CEO Scott Gilroy commented on the transaction as marking an exciting new chapter for the company: “Both AusDiagnostics and R-Biopharm AG share the same commitment to innovation in the biotechnology space. This acquisition strengthens AusDiagnostics and will accelerate our global presence. We’ve experienced tremendous, industry-leading growth over the past two years, which has been underpinned by our broad suite of innovative products, talented team and incredible, loyal customers. Joining the R-Biopharm group will allow us to further build on this and continue to deliver exceptional products and service for our Australian and international customers.”
Currently employing 92 people and with offi ces in New Zealand, the USA and Great Britain, AusDiagnostics’ production facilities in Australia and Great Britain supply a steadily growing network of more than 25 distributors and partners around the world - from which R-Biopharm expects further synergy effects for production as well as international service and support in its clinical diagnostics line.
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/4zJ0 58046pr@reply-direct.com
DNL-0200 is a preparation of hydrocortisone that has been specifi cally designed for patients with diseases of cortisol defi ciency such as CAH and is currently approved as the only near physiological cortisol replacement treatment for CAH in Europe and the UK.
Richard Bungay, Interim Chief Executive Offi cer of Diurnal, said: “I am delighted that we have dosed the fi rst patient in this important clinical trial. CONnECT builds on knowledge gained from our European study for DNL-0200, to date the largest ever completed study in CAH, and as the fi rst blinded study, CONnECT should prove to be the defi nitive evidence for optimal treatment of patients with CAH.”
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/WxWV 58052pr@reply-direct.com
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Business
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