Cancer Research Technology and
Genvax Enter into Licence Agreement for the Development of
Leukaemia Research Fund Flagship Vaccine Technology Generated
at the University of Southampton
March
23 - Cancer Research Technology Ltd. (CRT) and
Genvax, the MMI biobaby focused on cancer vaccines, announced
today that they have concluded an exclusive worldwide licence
for the commercialisation rights to a novel DNA vaccine
portfolio that utilises immunostimulants to boost patients'
immune responses. Genvax will gain exclusive rights to the
extensive patent portfolio and add support to the future
pre-clinical and clinical development programmes that have
been largely supported by Leukaemia Research Fund and Cancer
Research UK at the University of Southampton.
Professor
Freda Stevenson, who has pioneered the technology platform
with both her research team and that of Dr Christian Ottensmeier
at the University of Southampton said "it is extremely rewarding
to see the excellent work from our laboratory studies being
taken forward by a commercial partner, with the hope that
this technology may ultimately benefit patients." Both Professor Stevenson and Dr Ottensmeier will be integrally
involved in the future development of the DNA vaccines by
Genvax, who will be engaging the National Blood Service
to support vaccine manufacture.
Dr
Keith Blundy, Chief Operating Officer of CRT stated "CRT
are delighted to be involved in progressing such innovative
research which has been supported for many years at the
University of Southampton by a number of leading cancer
charities including the Leukaemia Research Fund and Cancer
Research UK, both of which continue to support the excellent
work of Professor Stevenson and Dr Ottensmeier in this field."
Mark
Burton, Technical Manager of MMI and Technical Director
of Genvax, echoed these comments and added "the acquisition
of rights in this exceptionally exciting field represents
an opportunity for Genvax to apply its regulatory, developmental
and commercial expertise to a highly promising technology
platform."
Leukaemia
Research Fund Scientific Director, Dr David Grant comments "It is very gratifying to see the results of our investment
in DNA vaccine technology being translated into commercial
development and clinical evaluation. Hopefully this will
bring real benefit to patients with a cancer of the blood
in the years to come".
---ends---
Notes
to Editors
About
Leukaemia Research Fund
Leukaemia
Research Fund is the only UK national charity solely devoted
to research into the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment
of the blood cancers namely leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple
myeloma, myelodysplasia and myeloproliferative disorders. 24,500 patients are newly diagnosed with these cancers
each year in the UK, including 600 children. The
Fund commits over £20 million each year to a comprehensive
portfolio of research with the aim of achieving the routine
cure of patients with these cancers.Visit www.lrf.org.uk
for further information.
About
Cancer Research UK
Cancer
Research UK is Europe 's leading cancer charity, dedicated
to research into the causes, prevention and treatment of
cancer. The charity supports the work of 3,000 scientists,
doctors and nurses in over 80 academic centres across the
UK, with an annual scientific spend of more than £213
million. Further information about Cancer Research UK can
be found at www.cancerresearchuk.org.
About
The University of Southampton
The
University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research
institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research
and scholarship. The University has around 20,000 students
and nearly 5000 staff. Its annual turnover is in the region
of £270 million.
The
latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) shows that the
University of Southampton is rated as one of the top 10
research universities in the UK. Four out of five research-active
staff are in areas that have been graded either 5* or 5,
the two highest grades for research quality.
About
Cancer Research Technology Limited
Cancer
Research Technology Limited (CRT) is a specialist technology
transfer company which aims to develop new discoveries in
cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT
is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent
funder of cancer research in the world. CRT works closely
with leading international cancer scientists and their institutes
to protect intellectual property arising from their research
and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates
the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics,
vaccines, diagnostics and enabling technologies. Further
information about CRT can be found at www.cancertechnology.com.
About
Genvax
Genvax
is a company established between MMI and scientists at the
University of Southampton to commercialise novel DNA vaccine
technology. The Company was founded in January 2004. Medical
Marketing International Group (MMI) is an emerging UK-based
biopharmaceutical company focussed principally on the development
of potential therapies in commercially attractive therapeutic
areas, such as cancer and infectious disease. The Group also
offers a range of technical support services to UK academic
and commercial bodies, which generate revenue and provide
a flow of new potential in-licensing opportunities. Further
information regarding MMI can be found on-line at www.mmigroup.co.uk
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