Paris, France – 15 April 2009 – DBV Technologies (DBV), a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of non-invasive epicutaneous diagnostics and immunotherapies for allergy, announced today it has signed a strategic agreement with the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris’ Office of Technology Transfer and Industrial Partnerships.
The agreement follows DBV Technologies’ success with its marketed Diallertest® Milk, a product designed specifically for the diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy in infants, as well as progress made with its Epicutaneous Specific Immunotherapy (EPIT) and its unique non-invasive epicutaneous delivery technology platform, VIASKIN®. Although specific terms were not disclosed, the strategic agreement clarifies royalty streams and developmental milestones. The agreement is of strategic importance as DBV Technologies works toward the initiation of its EPIT Phase I study for peanut allergy desensitisation in the U.S.
Commenting on the agreement, Jean-François Biry, Chairman and CEO of DBV Technologies, said, “Our early success with DiallerTest® and progress with our EPIT programme would not have been possible without the support of the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris. We are pleased to have signed this agreement as we move towards our Phase I in peanut allergy desensitisation therapy.”
About DBV Technologies - www.dbv-technologies.com DBV Technologies, based in Paris, France is a speciality pharma company specialising in the development of non-invasive epicutaneous diagnostics and immunotherapies for allergy diagnosis and treatment. The Company is lead by CEO Jean-François Biry and was born out of the experience of Professor Christophe Dupont from Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and University Paris Descartes, one of the key leading specialists worldwide in Food Allergy,Chairman of the Scientific Board of DBV technologies,Doctor Pierre-Henri Benhamou, a paediatrician specialising in gastro-enterology, allergosis and nutrition, and Bertrand Dupont, a qualified engineer from the Arts et Métiers Institute. DBV’s lead product, Diallertest® Milk, is on sale in France and other countries for the diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy.
DBV recently closed a €6million (EUR) Series B investment with new investor ALK-Abello, a leading worldwide immunotherapy company, and returning investor Sofinnova Partners.
Founded in 2002, DBV Technologies is based in the Pépinière Paris Santé Cochin, in Paris’ 14th arrondissement.
About VIASKIN®
DBV Technologies’ globally patented VIASKIN® technology is a unique delivery system which retains active compounds on a carrier using electrostatic forces only. The delivery platform allows active compounds to be presented to the epidermis of the skin without breaking the blood-skin barrier. In not breaking the blood-skin barrier, DBV Technologies’ allergen diagnosis and specific immunotherapy treatments avoid inducing systemic shock – one of the most serious concerns associated with current desensitisation therapies. DBV’s VIASKIN® technology is in development for the treatment of allergies through Epicutaneous Specific Immunotherapy (EPIT) and for the administration of vaccines. The company is currently seeking partnerships in these areas. DBV’s lead product, Diallertest® Milk, utilises VIASKIN® technology and is on sale in France and other countries for the diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy.
To view a video of VIASKIN presenting active compounds to the skin without breaking the blood-skin barrier, please click on the link http://www.dbv-technologies.com/viaskin-technology/about.htm
About Diallertest® Milk
DBV’s lead product, Diallertest® Milk, is on sale in France and other countries for the diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy. DBV Technologies licensed its Diallertest® range to international baby food and clinical nutrition specialist Numico (part of DANONE). Diallertest® Milk represents a revolution for paediatrics and was awarded an International prize for Technological Innovation by the Altran foundation in 2003.
Facts about peanut allergy
Peanut allergy is one of the most severe food allergy.In the US more than 6 million people suffer from peanuts allergy. This disease can be life threatening when inducing a systemic shock in case of accidental ingestion of peanuts by severely IgE mediated patients.
