Melbourne, Australia, 29 July 1997
Biota Holdings today announced a major alliance with Melbourne's highly
regarded Biomolecular Research Institute, that will significantly expand
Biota's research portfolio and strengthen its access to a key drug
discovery technology.
The alliance is in the field of structure based drug design, and builds
on the experience and knowledge gained in the development of Biota's
influenza therapeutic.
Biota will engage the BRI to undertake specific projects in Biota's
focus areas of viral diseases and cancer. The first of these projects
will see the BRI undertake structure-based design research on new
anti-viral drugs, with particular focus on respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV). RSV causes a serious flu-like illness and is responsible for
serious viral respiratory illness in infants and the elderly.
Under the terms of the agreement, Biota will pay an access fee and
royalties to the BRI on a project-by-project basis. BRI will make
available their expertise and state-of-the-art technology (including
x-ray crystallography, computer aided drug design, nuclear magnetic
resonance and electron microscopy) which will be used to design new
molecules targeted at specific viral structures.
The technology was used in the design of Biota's influenza drug, GG167
(or zanamivir), in collaboration with the CSIRO and Monash University.
It is also being exploited in several other Biota projects.
Candidate molecules identified from this project will be developed in
Biota's Chemistry Laboratory at Monash university. Under the agreement
both parties retain the right to work with others on projects outside
those covered by the collaboration.
"We welcome the opportunity to extend and strengthen our relationship
with the BRI", said Dr. Hugh Niall, Chief Executive Officer of Biota. He
added, "This arrangement is attractive to Biota because of the proven
collaboration record and because it gives Biota access to a cost
effective method of conducting structure based drug design, thus
enhancing its drug discovery capabilities."
Dr. Peter Colman, Director of the Biomolecular Research Institute said,
"BRI is very pleased with this alliance and to have the opportunity to
work closely with Biota."
Biota is an Australian listed company (BTA), based in Melbourne and
engaged in the funding and management of a research and development
program focusing principally on the discovery of new human
pharmaceuticals for the treatment of viral respiratory diseases and
cancer. The Company's ADRs trade in the US on the pink sheets at a ratio
of three shares to each ADR.
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