Oslo 26.02.2013 – The combination with complementary formulations aims to optimize future HIV treatments
Bionor Pharma ASA (OSE: BIONOR) today announced that a new patent application relating to the Company`s HIV-vaccines Vacc-4x and Vacc-C5 has been submitted. The patent application contains claims covering various combinations of our vaccines with other agents such as immune modulators and drug substances with potential effect on HIV infected cells and reservoirs in the body where HIV virus hide and replicate. The aim of the application is to support our rights in the area of combined treatments which can further strengthen our HIV-vaccines ability to effectively reduce viral load, eliminate the damaging hyperactivation of the immune system caused by HIV, and to potentially open and empty viral reservoirs.
About Bionor Pharma ASA
Bionor Pharma is a leading vaccine company, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The Company’s investments in developing therapeutic vaccines exceed US$ 80 million, and the Company has secured funding of planned scientific and business related activities until mid 2014.
Bionor Pharma’s vaccines are based on the proprietary technology platform developed following more than two decades of research on peptides, and they are designed to safely stimulate the immune system to combat viral diseases.
HIV vaccines – foremost in the development
The Company’s lead HIV candidate, Vacc-4x, has been investigated as a therapeutic vaccine in a large exploratory phase II randomized, multinational (USA and 4 European countries), double-blind, placebo-controlled study. This study showed a statistically significant reduction in viral load. Bionor Pharma`s second HIV vaccine candidate, Vacc-C5, is designed to induce antibodies that potentially can reduce the harmful hyperactivation of the immune system caused by HIV infection, which leads to AIDS.
Bionor Pharma is currently conducting three clinical studies:
1. Vacc-4x in combination with Celgene`s immune modulator Revlimid® (Lenalidomide), in patients who fail to regain a normal immune system despite having a well-controlled viral load on conventional HIV medication (antiretroviral therapy, ART). The researchers at four clinics in Germany will in this placebo-controlled study investigate whether Revlimid enhances the effect of Vacc-4x.
2. Reboosting with Vacc-4x in patients from the phase II study (USA and 4 European countries), to investigate whether this can result in a further reduction in viral load. Approximately 30-40 patients from the large phase II study with Vacc-4x will take part at 10 clinics.
3. Clinical phase I/II study with Vacc-C5, at Oslo University Hospital will investigate safety and efficacy, and whether this vaccine leads to increased formation of antibodies against HIV in humans.
Bionor Pharma is exploring the possibility to combine Vacc-4x and Vacc-C5 into one vaccine (Vacc-HIV), which as a therapeutic and possibly preventive HIV vaccine potentially can eradicate HIV-infection.
Vaccines for other viral diseases
The Company’s innovative technology platform is also well suited to develop vaccines for other viral diseases, including Influenza, HCV (Hepatitis C), CMV (Cytomegalovirus) and HPV (Human papillomavirus). The universal influenza vaccine (Vacc-Flu) is in preclinical phase of development.
More information about Bionor Pharma is available at www.bionorpharma.com.
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act). Vacc-4x, Vacc-C5, Vacc-Flu, Vacc-HCV, Vacc-CMV and Vacc-HPV are investigational treatments that have not been approved for marketing by any regulatory authority.
Contact information
Bionor Pharma ASA, Oslo: +47 23 01 09 60
Hilde Aalling Syvertsen, Director Communications & Corporate Affairs
USA Contact:
David Sheon +1 202 422-6999
[email protected]