Neurobiological Technologies, Inc. and Nordmark Complete GMP Snake Facility in Germany for Production of Viprinex(TM) (Ancrod)
December 04 2006 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Neurobiological Technologies, Inc. (NTI(R)) (NASDAQ:NTII), today
announced the completion of a snake facility in Moorrege, Germany,
near Hamburg. The facility, owned and operated by NTI's partner,
Nordmark Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG (Nordmark), houses snakes
that will provide the venom used to produce Viprinex, which is
being studied by NTI as a potential treatment for acute ischemic
stroke. Mr. Freiman, president and CEO of NTI stated, "A home was
needed for the snakes used to produce Viprinex and we decided with
Nordmark, that it was necessary to create one of the world's few
GMP (good manufacturing practice) facilities for reptiles. This
state-of-the-art facility currently houses 100 snakes and is
expected to eventually be home to 1,500 vipers." Mr. Freiman,
added, "We joined forces with Nordmark because of their experience
in dealing with biological processes, as well as animal sourced
biologicals. The two companies shared the expense of this facility
at a cost of 4.5 million euros. There should be no question about
our commitment to this project. The resulting facility is world
class and we believe meets the most stringent standards of
regulatory agencies around the world. I could not be more pleased
with Nordmark's hard work to bring this about." The snakes are
milked once a month and their venom will be purified at a separate
facility to obtain the active ingredient of Viprinex. The venom has
strong anticoagulant activities, along with the ability to break-up
blood clots associated with stroke and reduces the viscosity of
blood. Snakes are housed in separate rooms, each with its own air
handling system, together with independent temperature and humidity
controls. This is done to protect the snakes from colony infection.
The snake rooms are maintained under negative pressure to prevent
the release of any contaminants, including airborne viruses, into
the common areas. To make the snakes feel at home, day breaks each
morning at 6 a.m., when neon tube lighting is automatically
switched on. This helps maintain a natural rhythm for the snakes.
The temperature is kept at a constant 28 degrees Celsius and
humidity levels are kept at 79 percent, which emulates the jungle
environment of the snakes. Experienced snake handlers are gowned,
as if in a sterile environment, and must go through a prescribed
routine to prevent contaminants from entering the snake rooms.
Viprinex (Ancrod) is currently being studied in two Phase III
global trials known as Ancrod Stroke Program I (ASP-I) and Ancrod
Stroke Program II (ASP-II) and is actively recruiting patients.
About Neurobiological Technologies, Inc. NTI is a biotechnology
company engaged in the business of acquiring and developing central
nervous system related drug candidates. The Company is focused on
therapies for neurological conditions that occur in connection with
ischemic stroke, brain cancer, Alzheimer's disease and dementia .
The Company's strategy is to in-license and develop later-stage
drug candidates that target major medical needs and that can be
rapidly commercialized. NTI's experienced management team oversees
the human clinical trials necessary to establish preliminary
evidence of efficacy. For further information, please visit NTI's
website at http://www.ntii.com/ NOTE: Except for the historical
information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press
release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including: risks related to clinical trials and the
regulatory approval and successful commercialization of our
products, the inherent risk of failure in developing product
candidates based on new technologies, the risks associated with the
cost of clinical development efforts, and other risks detailed from
time to time in our Annual Report of Form 10-K and other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may
differ materially from those projected. These forward- looking
statements represent our judgment as of the date of the release. We
disclaim any intent to update these forward-looking statements.
DATASOURCE: Neurobiological Technologies, Inc. CONTACT: Paul E.
Freiman, CEO of Neurobiological Technologies, Inc.,
+1-510-595-6000; or Marlon Nurse, VP of Porter, LeVay & Rose,
+1-212-564-4700 Web site: http://www.ntii.com/
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