Medicago, Inc. Successfully Completes Research Collaboration Agreement with Top 10 Global Pharmaceutical Company for the Development of a Non-influenza VLP Vaccine Candidate
QUEBEC CITY, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Medicago Inc. (TSX: MDG), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today announced the successful completion of its research collaboration agreement with a top 10 global pharmaceutical company. Initially announced on April 6, 2011, the research collaboration involves the development of a non-influenza VLP vaccine candidate.
Under the terms of the agreement, Medicago is applying its transient expression system to develop a VLP vaccine candidate for an undisclosed target. Medicago has received payments following the successful completion of all milestones related to the research collaboration.
"We are pleased to announce that our initial research collaboration with this top 10 global pharma company has been completed successfully," said Andy Sheldon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Medicago. "We look forward to working with this company in the future, and believe that the advantages of our technology continue to have the potential to attract further partnerships."
Medicago's pipeline includes the initiation of a U.S. Phase II a clinical trial for a quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine with interim data expected in the first quarter of 2013. A Phase I clinical trial for a one-dose H5N1 VLP vaccine with a new adjuvant is planned for the second quarter of 2012, in partnership with the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), with interim data expected in the second half of this year. GMP process development and a GLP toxicology study for a rabies vaccine are ongoing. Medicago is also working with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma under a strategic alliance to develop a vaccine for rotavirus, and at least two additional vaccine candidates. In addition to vaccines, Medicago is conducting research and development in the area of biosimilar products.
About Medicago
Medicago is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel
vaccines and therapeutic proteins to address a broad range of
infectious diseases worldwide. The Company is committed to providing
highly effective and competitive vaccines and therapeutic proteins
based on its proprietary VLP and manufacturing technologies. Medicago
is a worldwide leader in the development of VLP vaccines using a
transient expression system which produces recombinant vaccine antigens
in plants. This technology has potential to offer more potent vaccines
with speed and cost advantages over competitive technologies, enabling
the development of a vaccine for testing in approximately one month
after the identification and reception of genetic sequences from a
pandemic strain. This production time frame has the potential to allow
vaccination of the population before the first wave of a pandemic, and
supply large volumes of vaccine antigens to the world market. Medicago
also intends to expand development into other areas such as biosimilars
and biodefense products where the benefits of our technologies can make
a significant difference. Additional information about Medicago is
available at www.medicago.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are
based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties
associated with Medicago's business and the environment in which the
business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not
statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking,
including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe",
"plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions to the
extent they relate to Medicago or its management. The forward-looking
statements are not historical facts, but reflect Medicago's current
expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations, including the matters discussed under "Risk Factors and
Uncertainties" in Medicago's Annual Information Form filed on March 29,
2012, with the regulatory authorities. Medicago assumes no obligation
to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why
actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking
statements.
SOURCE Medicago Inc.