Wyeth And MediVas LLC Announce Research Partnership To Develop Advanced Hemophilia Therapies

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to provide advanced therapies for hemophilia, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth , announced the signing of a research collaboration with MediVas, LLC, a San Diego, California, biomaterials company specializing in improved delivery of biologics. This collaboration was initiated to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize novel biopharmaceuticals that extend the duration of action of recombinant factor treatments for hemophilia.

MediVas will employ a unique polymer-based drug delivery system to develop advanced delivery methods for recombinant hemophilia products and improve patient convenience through the creation of a longer half-life for these proteins.

"Our new research collaboration is in keeping with Wyeth's strong presence in biopharmaceuticals and the history of innovation in hemophilia research. The novel approach of polymer-based delivery systems could offer promise for other therapeutic applications," says Cavan Redmond, Executive Vice President and General Manager, BioPharma Business Unit at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Under the terms of the agreement with Wyeth, MediVas will receive milestone payments associated with development, regulatory filings and approvals and royalty payments based on net sales of products. Wyeth will research, develop, manufacture and market any products derived from the agreement.

"We are hopeful that by combining recombinant hemophilia products with our best-in-class polymer delivery system, we can offer an alternative to the intravenous administration of this protein. We also believe this agreement will be part of a far-reaching relationship between the two companies in many therapeutic areas," says Kenneth W. Carpenter, President and CEO of MediVas.

Hemophilia is a rare, inherited blood clotting disorder, which affects approximately 130,000 worldwide. People with hemophilia are deficient in one of the key proteins -- either Factor VIII (hemophilia A) or Factor IX (hemophilia B) -- that are vital in the clotting cascade to prevent bleeding. Both forms of hemophilia are characterized by spontaneous hemorrhages or prolonged bleeding, typically into joints and soft tissue. Patients with hemophilia A or hemophilia B are dependent on protein replacement therapy with Factor VIII or Factor IX, respectively, for life.

About MediVas:

Using its proprietary family of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, MediVas has developed unique platforms for the delivery of biologics. MediVas is utilizing its novel polymer technology in collaboration with some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, as well as on its own internal product development efforts, to create groundbreaking medical advancements. By combining therapeutic proteins and other biologics with a MediVas polymer, delivery routes that were previously unattainable, such as oral, intranasal, inhaled or subcutaneous injection, can now be achieved. With these routes of delivery then available, MediVas' delivery system can make the administration of the biologic more convenient, more efficacious and safer, leading to higher patient compliance and overall better health.

Contact: MediVas, LLC Victor E. Vilaplana Director, Business Development (858) 622-2005 vvilaplana@medivas.com

CONTACT: Victor E. Vilaplana, Director, Business Development of MediVas,LLC, +1-858-622-2005, vvilaplana@medivas.com