Brussels/Stockholm, 28 May 2004 - Opperbas Holding B.V. is conducting a phase II clinical trial using its proprietary PEGylated liposomes to prolong the half-life and hemostatic efficacy of recombinant factor VIII, a protein used to treat haemophilia A, a technology developed for Opperbas by the Israeli-based Omri Laboratories Ltd. research company. The delivery technology showed very encouraging results in the phase I/II trial completed last year.
Hemophilia A is currently treated by up to three weekly infusions of FVIII, a protein that is lacking or defective in the affected patients. Opperbas’ technology as developed by Omri, carries the potential of reducing the number of infusions to a third of what is presently used while retaining clinical efficacy. This may lead to a major improvement in patient convenience and treatment modality, enabling more patients to use prophylactic treatment and preventing painful and disabling bleeding episodes.
-"We are very pleased with the outcomes so far” - says Dr. Jack Spira, Medical Director . “Our technology has shown to be very promising and we are currently looking at other diseases in which a similar approach can be utilized to enhance the efficacy of protein/peptide drugs”.
-"Our goal is to out-license this first indication to one of the major haemophilia pharmaceutical companies and to further develop our technology in similar or other medical indications"- comments Robert Taub founder of the company
ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY
Opperbas developed a novel patented “platform” technology for the prolongation of protein and peptide half-life and efficacy by formulation with proprietary PEGylated liposomes. The proteins bind non-covalently but with high affinity in a specific mode with the external surface of liposomes without losing their activity. In vivo experiments with several proteins indicate that the half-life and biological efficacy of liposome-formulated proteins are significantly prolonged. Opperbas is developing near-term pharmaceutical products. Its lead product is an improved product based on Factor VIII with a novel liposome formulation for the treatment of haemophilia A.
ABOUT OPPERBAS HOLDING B.V and OMRI LABORATORIES LTD.
Opperbas Holding N.V., established in 1992, develops delivery technologies. Omri Laboratories Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company located in the Weizmann Science Park, Rehovot, Israel. The company focuses on the development of PEGylated liposomes as a delivery vehicle for factor VIII (FVIII) and other short half-life proteins/peptides.
Dr. Jack Spira, tel: +46 708 850 474
Mr. Robert Taub, tel: +32 2 359 91 25
www.omrilaboratories.com
