- potential animal health and human health applications for
reduction of anxiety -
BELLEVILLE, ON &
OTTAWA, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Bioniche Life
Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven
Canadian biopharmaceutical company, together with the University of Ottawa, one of Canada's top ten research universities, today
announced the signing of an exclusive global license agreement. The
agreement provides commercial access for Bioniche to University of Ottawa's technology for botanical
therapeutics (natural health) and pharmaceutical compounds for
treating anxiety and related conditions in animal health, human
health and aquaculture.
University of Ottawa researchers and
collaborators at the Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica have been studying these botanicals
and compounds extensively for nearly 15 years. The research team
combined expertise in botany, biology, medicinal chemistry and
neuroscience to develop this unique family of botanicals and
compounds from natural sources. They demonstrated the strong
anti-anxiety effects through studies in numerous animal models.
Preliminary safety and efficacy data have proven promising and show
none of the side effects seen with other anti-anxiety
medications.
The Company plans to initially explore developing the technology
into animal health products for dogs and horses, where it could
help reduce anxiety without the side effects of chemical calming
agents. In the future, the Company may also explore the development
of human applications for the technology. The licensing agreement
includes a commitment to ongoing research at the University of Ottawa.
"There is an unmet need in both animal and human health for
calming agents that are non-addictive," said Graeme McRae, Chairman, President & CEO of
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. "We are encouraged by the extensive
work done by Dr. Arnason and his team at the University of Ottawa, upon which the Research &
Development team at Bioniche will add additional data from further
clinical studies, with a goal to registering and launching an
animal health product in the next few years."
"Technology partnerships with companies, such as this
collaboration with Bioniche, are essential to ensure that academic
research discoveries with potential societal benefits and
commercial opportunity are brought to market," said Dr.
Mona Nemer, Vice-President,
Research, at the University of Ottawa.
"We look forward to working with Bioniche on this partnership as
the technology is commercialized."
Research team member Dr. John T.
Arnason, Professor of Biology in the Faculty of Science at
the University of Ottawa added, "We are
pleased to see our many years of research to demonstrate the value
of tropical diversity come to fruition with the signing of a
license agreement with Bioniche, and we look forward to
collaborating with the Company to develop products for the
marketplace."
About the Technology
The technology has basis in traditional medicine, and the
researchers at University of Ottawa and
their Central American colleagues have discovered a family of new
compounds applying the advanced tools of chemistry, biology and
neuroscience to demonstrate and optimize the real effects of
natural compounds on human and animal health. In support of the
International Biodiversity Convention and the desire to honour the
traditional knowledge of the indigenous communities, every effort
will be made to see benefits flow back to these communities in
Central America. Bioniche is
sponsoring a propagation program in collaboration with local
producers to enable the source material to be cultivated
commercially with no impact on the delicate ecosystem of the
rainforests, where the plant grows.
About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based,
technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the
discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary
products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The
fully-integrated company employs approximately 200 skilled
personnel and has three operating divisions: Human Health, Animal
Health, and Food Safety. The Company develops proprietary cancer
therapies supported by revenues from marketed products in human and
animal health. For more information, please visit
www.Bioniche.com.
About the University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is
committed to research excellence and encourages an
interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation, which attracts
the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world. With 38,000
students and over $250 million
annually in research funding, the University
of Ottawa is one of Canada's top ten research universities.
Except for historical information, this news release may contain
forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current
expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking
statements involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are
not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and
timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of
corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and
pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the
regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time to
time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.
SOURCE Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Copyright . 25 PR Newswire