LOS ANGELES and BOSTON, March 13,
2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SBOT), a leading manufacturer of a key protein utilized in
immunotherapy development pipelines, and Matrivax Inc., a vaccine
biotechnology company, today announced that the companies have
entered into a technology transfer and purchase agreement related
to Stellar's proprietary Clostridium difficile
technology.
Under the terms of the agreement, Stellar will transfer its
proprietary rights and know-how of immunogens and vaccine
technology for a life-threatening pathogenic bacteria known as
Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Stellar advanced this
technology through exploratory preclinical studies completed under
an exclusive license of the patented immunotherapy technology from
the University of Guelph, Canada.
Stellar President and CEO Frank
Oakes said that Matrivax's acquisition of Stellar's interest
in C. diff technology underscores the importance of developing
immunotherapy treatments for C. diff infections (CDI). "We are
pleased with this endorsement of our vision for therapeutic
vaccines to fight C. diff. This arrangement provides Stellar the
opportunity to advance promising technology and share in successful
milestones, without further capital investments," said Mr.
Oakes.
Matrivax CSO Kevin P. Killeen, PhD, said that, "Matrivax is
excited to advance the C. diff prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine
technology to the clinic. A key company goal is to develop novel
therapeutic and preventative interventions targeting CDI that
direct the immune system against both the pathogen and toxins,
unlike many alternative approaches that only impact toxin-mediated
disease symptoms. By acquiring rights to this enabling protective
antigen technology, we can now advance research designed to disrupt
the fundamental pathways of C. diff pathogenesis and transmission,"
said Dr. Killeen.
For termination of its exclusive license to the patent rights,
and transfer of know how related to its development work, Stellar
will receive an upfront fee from Matrivax as well as a percentage
of certain fees, milestone payments, sublicensing income and
royalties that are paid by Matrivax to the University of Guelph in consideration of the
license granted to Matrivax under the patent rights. As part of the
arrangement, Stellar and the University of
Guelph terminated their existing license agreement,
effective March 6, 2017. The
succeeding license agreement directly between the University of Guelph and Matrivax became effective
the same date.
C.difficile has been categorized as an urgent threat by
the Centers for Disease Control. According to published research
reports, treatment costs in the United
States and Europe are
estimated at $7 billion annually.
About Matrivax.
Founded in 2007, Matrivax Inc. is a
biotechnology company that has exclusively licensed Protein
Capsular Matrix Vaccine (PCMV) technology, a platform that enables
a simplified manufacturing process to produce polysaccharide based
vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae, C. difficile,
Neisseria meningitidis, S. Typhi, and others. PCMV technology
has the potential to transform the current, complex, and expensive
polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine manufacture process to a
more straightforward, inexpensive process. The Matrivax R&D
headquarters are located in Boston,
MA.
About Stellar Biotechnologies
Based north of
Los Angeles at the Port of
Hueneme, Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBOT) is the leader
in sustainable manufacture of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH), an
important immune-stimulating protein used in wide-ranging
therapeutic and diagnostic markets. KLH is both an active
pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in many new immunotherapies
(targeting cancer, immune disorders, Alzheimer's and inflammatory
diseases) as well as a finished product for measuring immune
status. Stellar is unique in its proprietary methods, facilities,
and KLH technology. The company is committed to meeting the growing
demand for commercial-scale supplies of GMP grade KLH, ensuring
environmentally sound KLH production, and developing KLH-based
active immunotherapies. Stellar KLH is a trademark of Stellar
Biotechnologies.
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Stellar Forward-Looking Statements
This press
release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words
such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect,"
"intend," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "might,"
"potential," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions.
Readers should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements,
which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be
accurate, as all such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
actual results or future events to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but may not be
limited to: general economic and business conditions; technology
changes; competition; changes in strategy or development plans;
availability of funds and resources; anticipated requirements for
operating capital; governmental regulations and the ability or
failure to comply with governmental regulations; changes in trade
policy and international law; the timing of Stellar's or its
partners' anticipated results, including in connection with
clinical trials; the ability to meet the goals of Stellar's joint
ventures and strategic partnerships; and other factors
referenced in Stellar's filings with securities regulators. For a
discussion of further risks and uncertainties related to the
Stellar's business, please refer to Stellar's public company
reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and
the British Columbia Securities Commission. All forward-looking
statements are made as of the date hereof and are subject to
change. Except as required by law, Stellar assumes no obligation to
update such statements. This press release does not constitute an
offer or solicitation of an offer for sale of any securities in any
jurisdiction, including the United
States.
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SOURCE Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.