BioInvent Start Recruitment of Second 100 Patient Cohort in Phase II DVT Prophylaxis Study with TB-402

Lund, Sweden and Leuven, Belgium – 3 July 2009 - BioInvent International AB (OMXS: BINV) and ThromboGenics NV (Euronext Brussels: THR) announce that they have started recruitment of a second cohort of patients for their Phase II trial of TB-402. This follows completion of recruitment of the first cohort of 100 patients ahead of schedule. TB-402 is a novel, long acting anticoagulant that is being developed for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following orthopaedic surgery. The decision to move ahead with the second cohort of this trial follows unanimous advice from the external efficacy and safety monitoring board to proceed using a higher dose of TB-402.

The Phase II trial is an active (enoxaparin)-controlled, dose-escalating, multicenter, prospective, randomised, open label trial evaluating TB-402 for the prophylaxis of DVT after knee surgery. The study is assessing three different doses of TB-402 given as a single intravenous bolus injection post knee replacement surgery and will enrol a total of 300 patients across 36 centers in Europe. The objective of the study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the three escalating doses of TB-402.

TB-402 is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody that partially inhibits Factor VIII, a key component of the coagulation cascade. This novel mode of action is expected to reduce the risk of undesirable bleeding events, even at high doses, as well as the need for patient monitoring. These are the two main drawbacks associated with current anticoagulants. In addition, TB-402 is a long-acting agent, which means it could be given as a single dose after surgery to prevent the development of DVT. This would be an attractive option, as all current anticoagulant treatment options require daily treatment for up to several weeks.

Professor Peter Verhamme from the University of Leuven will present additional data from the earlier successful Phase I study at the XXII Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) on 15 July, 2009, in Boston.

Svein Mathisen, CEO of BioInvent, commented, “We are pleased that there has been rapid progress in this study and that the efficacy and safety monitoring board unanimously recommended that we proceed to a higher dose of TB-402. It is testament to the strength of our partnership with ThromboGenics and the exciting potential of this product candidate.”

Patrik De Haes, CEO of ThromboGenics, also commented, “We are very happy that this important study with TB-402 is progressing rapidly. TB-402’s profile, including its novel mode of action, could allow it to address the many drawbacks associated with current anticoagulant therapy. We remain confident in the large market potential for TB-402, and believe that the current Phase II study will provide additional data to further highlight the attractive differentiating properties of this novel long-acting anticoagulant.”

About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is caused when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the deep veins of the lower leg. DVT is a major public health issue and it is estimated that in the US alone, more than 350,000 individuals are affected by DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE) each year. Moreover, DVT and PE together may be responsible for more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.[1]

It is estimated that by 2015, 1.4 million patients will undergo knee replacement and 600,000 patients will undergo hip replacement in the U.S. if current trends persist.[2] Patients undergoing hip replacement or knee surgery are particularly at risk of developing DVT and all patients are therefore treated with anticoagulants prophylactically in order to reduce the risks of blood clots. The annual sales of anticoagulants worldwide are over $5 billion. Nevertheless, available anticoagulants are still inconvenient and associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Improved anticoagulants are therefore required. In particular, agents that allow for improved ease of administration (without requirement for daily dosing and frequent dose adjustment) would fill a significant unmet need.

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