The companies have extended their agreement to pursue the development of a further blood factor product, TheraPEG Factor VIIa and go ahead with the feasibility study to assess the product’s potential.
PBB and PolyTherics have been working to develop a longer-acting version of Factor IX using PolyTherics’ TheraPEG technology to conjugate poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) to the protein.
In 2011, PBB completed a preclinical pharmacology study with TheraPEG Factor IX.
PolyTherics has transferred its TheraPEG PEGylation process for the protein to PBB’s biomanufacturing affiliate to facilitate the production of larger quantities of the longer-acting blood factor for further development.
A milestone payment was triggered to PolyTherics in April 2012, with the completion of the technology transfer process.