OSLO, Norway and MARLBOROUGH, Mass., May
22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PCI Biotech (OSE: PCIB), a
cancer focused biopharmaceutical company, and RXi Pharmaceuticals
(NASDAQ: RXII) a biotechnology company focused on developing novel
RNAi therapeutics for significant un-met needs, today announced
that they are extending their preclinical research collaboration
initiated April 7, 2015.
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This extension is supported by a new preclinical research
collaboration agreement that reflect RXi's recently completed
acquisition of MirImmune and PCI Biotech's focus in oncology. In
brief, the preclinical research collaboration will evaluate
technology compatibility and synergy based on in vivo
studies. The companies will evaluate results achieved from this
research collaboration and then explore the potential for a further
partnership.
Dr. Per Walday, CEO of PCI
Biotech, said: "I'm very pleased to announce the extension of the
existing research agreement. Our collaboration with RXi has been
most fruitful and demonstrated a clear positive technological
synergy that could realise significant value when applied to the
emerging field of immuno-oncology. We look forward to exploring
synergies between fimaNAc and RXi's innovative RNAi based
compounds in the extended collaboration focusing on immuno-oncology
opportunities."
"Our collaboration with PCI Biotech over the last two years has
been mutually very beneficial for our Companies," said Dr.
Geert Cauwenbergh, President and CEO
of RXi Pharmaceuticals. He added that, "We will learn how the PCI
technology can even further enhance the time and the concentration
our sd-rxRNA compounds can reside and be active in the immune
cells. In the immuno-oncology space, where everybody talks about
potency and safety of combinations, this continued and more focused
collaboration could advance this therapeutic area
significantly."
About PCI
Biotech
PCI Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on
development and commercialisation of novel therapies for the
treatment of cancer through its innovative photochemical
internalisation (PCI) technology platform. PCI is applied to
three distinct anticancer paradigms: fimaChem
(enhancement of chemotherapeutics for localised treatment of
cancer), fimaVacc (T-cell induction technology for
therapeutic vaccination), and fimaNAc (nucleic acid
therapeutics delivery).
Photochemical internalisation induces triggered endosomal
release that is used to unlock the true potential of a wide array
of therapeutic modalities. The company's lead
fimaChem programme consists of a clinical Phase
I/II clinical study in bile duct cancer, an orphan indication with
a high unmet need and without approved products.
fimaVacc applies a unique mode of action to enhance
the essential cytotoxic effect of therapeutic cancer vaccines,
which works in synergy with several other state-of-the-art
vaccination technologies. fimaNAc utilises the
endosomal release to provide intracellular delivery of nucleic
acids, such as mRNA and RNAi therapeutics, thereby addressing one
of the major bottlenecks facing this emerging and promising
field.
About RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII) is a
clinical-stage company developing innovative therapeutics that
address significant unmet medical needs. Building on the pioneering
discovery of RNAi, scientists at RXi have harnessed the naturally
occurring RNAi process which has the ability to "silence" or
down-regulate the expression of a specific gene that may be
overexpressed in a disease condition. RXi developed a robust RNAi
therapeutic platform including self-delivering RNA (sd-rxRNA®)
compounds, that have the ability to selectively block the
expression of any target in the genome, thus providing
applicability to many therapeutic areas. Our current programs
include dermatology, ophthalmology and cell-based cancer
immunotherapy. RXi's extensive patent portfolio provides for
multiple product and business development opportunities across a
broad spectrum of therapeutic areas and we actively pursue research
collaborations, partnering and out-licensing opportunities with
academia and pharmaceutical companies. Additional information may
be found on the Company's website, www.rxipharma.com.
Contact
PCI Biotech Holding ASA
Per Walday, CEO
+47 917 93 429
pw@pcibiotech.com
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Tamara McGrillen
508-929-3646
tmcgrillen@rxipharma.com
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SOURCE RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation