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Biotech / Medical : Corixa [CRXA] - cancer vaccines -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sim1 who wrote (146)	4/8/2002 6:30:59 PM
From: nigel bates	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 222

Rhein Biotech and Corixa Enter Into License and Supply Agreement SEATTLE & MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands--(BW HealthWire)--April 8, 2002--Rhein Biotech N.V., the world's third largest manufacturer of hepatitis B vaccines, and Corixa Corporation (Nasdaq:CRXA - news), a developer of immunotherapeutics, today announced the signing of a license and supply agreement for the use of Corixa's synthetic adjuvant, RC-529, by Rhein Biotech. The adjuvant is currently used in Rhein Biotech's two-dose hepatitis B vaccine, which has been tested in a Phase 3 clinical trial performed by Rhein Biotech and Corixa. Preliminary results indicated patients achieved over 95 percent seroprotection after two injections within a time period of one month. Under the license agreement, Corixa`s RC-529 adjuvant may also be used in Rhein Biotech`s therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine development program. Details of the Agreement Rhein Biotech has acquired from Corixa the co-exclusive worldwide commercial rights to Corixa's RC-529 synthetic adjuvant for use in Rhein Biotech's two-dose hepatitis B vaccine and therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine development program. Under the terms of the agreement, Corixa will receive upfront license fees, milestone payments, and royalties on future product sales. Corixa will produce and supply the RC-529 synthetic adjuvant and Rhein Biotech will be responsible for commercialization of the new hepatitis B vaccine candidates. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. Two-dose hepatitis B vaccine Rhein Biotech, in collaboration with Corixa, is developing a two-dose hepatitis B vaccine that includes Corixa's RC-529 adjuvant. Results of the primary efficacy analyses from the ongoing Phase 3 trial showed that there were significantly more patients seroprotected after two immunizations with Rhein Biotech's hepatitis B vaccine plus RC-529 than with two immunizations of the currently marketed three-dose hepatitis B vaccine alone (95.5 percent vs. 82.1 percent, p=0.001). The two-dose vaccine is being developed for travelers, patients undergoing surgery, medical personnel, and other people who require fast protection against possible infection with hepatitis B. It may also be used in alternative mass vaccination programs against hepatitis B infection. Corixa's RC-529 Adjuvant RC-529 is the lead adjuvant compound from Corixa's aminoalkly glucosaminide 4-phosphate (AGP) chemical library. Based upon structure activity relationship analysis, this adjuvant has been designed to activate innate immunity via Toll-like receptor 4. As a totally synthetic molecule it can be formulated for a variety of applications including intranasal and pulmonary vaccines, and is capable of producing both mucosal and systemic immunity for the vaccine. RC-529 is currently under evaluation with a number of preclinical vaccine candidates as well as in advanced human clinical vaccine trials. Daan Ellens, CEO and president of Rhein Biotech stated ``Rhein Biotech has extended its strong position in the hepatitis B vaccine field, by developing this unique two-dose monovalent hepatitis B vaccine. With a planned pilot introduction in South America at the end of this year, we are well on track for entry into new markets both in Europe as well as in other countries around the globe.'' Steven Gillis, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Corixa stated ``We are pleased both with the clinical and collaborative progress of our RC-529 program. Our partnership with Rhein Biotech is another affirmation of the potential value of our proprietary adjuvant portfolio. We are encouraged by the initial results of the Phase 3 hepatitis B vaccine trial and look forward to further development and expansion of this program.'' About Rhein Biotech Rhein Biotech is a vaccine oriented global biotechnology group. Rhein Biotech develops, produces and markets prophylactic vaccines and develops new therapeutic vaccines based on its platform technologies. With Hepavax-Gene®, manufactured by subsidiary GreenCross Vaccine, the Group has advanced to the world's third largest producer of hepatitis B vaccine. Rhein Biotech currently markets 13 products reaching 75 percent of the world's population. The Group employs over 300 people, with one third in R&D. Rhein Biotech is listed on the Neuer Markt (Frankfurt), where it is included in the Nemax 50 index. For more information on Rhein Biotech, visit www.rheinbiotech.com.