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news.German-American biotech company MediGene has granted a number of licenses to US-based Virionics Corporation for the use of its CVLP vaccines which can be used against precursors of cervical cancer.
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CVLP vaccines, an abbreviation for chimeric virus-like particles, are based on human papilloma viruses (HPV) which can be a precursor of cervical cancer.
MediGene will give Virionics access to its patents and know-how in the development of these tumor vaccines in return for a share of up to 15% in Virionics, plus a participation in sales and future milestone payments in case sublicenses are granted to third parties. MediGene also retains European marketing rights to the drugs developed.
As part of the deal Virionics has committed itself to the initiation of a clinical phase II trial of the CVLPs.
MediGene had tested the CVLP tumor vaccine in cooperation with Schering AG in an introductory phase I/II trial which showed positive data regarding tolerability, immunologic activity, and first efficacy trends. Upon termination of the cooperation with Schering in 2003, MediGene discontinued the project.
“Virionics specializes in the development of a novel antigen platform for the prevention or therapy of cancer, as well as inflammatory and infectious diseases. The comprehensive expertise in the field of vaccine development, as well as the senior management’s many years of pharma experience make Virionics the appropriate partner for the continuation of our CVLP program. We are delighted that we have once again succeeded in exploiting values from discontinued development projects,” said Dr Peter Heinrich, CEO of MediGene AG.