iBio, Inc. Adds Chinese Patent for Anthrax Antibody

NEWARK, Del., June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- iBio, Inc. (NYSE MKT: IBIO) today announced that its patent covering the composition and production of a human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of anthrax infection has been allowed in China. This patent, which will issue from Chinese patent application No.:200680036136.1, is entitled “COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS.”

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The claims of the allowed patent cover a human monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing the cell binding protein known as protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria causing anthrax. In mouse and non-human primate studies this antibody, produced with the use of iBio’s iBioLaunch platform technology, prevented death in 100% of animals given an otherwise lethal doses of anthrax spores.

The FDA considers Bacillus anthracis to be a category A bioterrorism agent, meaning that it poses the greatest possible threat to humans. Anthrax spores, which are easily spread by release in the air, are resistant to destruction and produce toxins that can cause massive and irreversible tissue injury and death.

“This invention may be of significant interest to the Chinese government and other governmental entities who may determine, in a manner similar to the United States, that stockpiling antibody for the treatment of this potential infection is a national security priority,” said Robert Erwin, President of iBio.

In addition to producing monoclonal antibody candidates, the iBioLaunch technology is being used in the development of anthrax vaccine candidates. Next generation vaccines using the iBioLaunch technology are currently being developed by Frauhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology pursuant to a license from iBio and funding awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, in December 2012.

About iBio, Inc.

iBio develops and offers product applications of its iBioLaunch and iBioModulator platforms, providing collaborators full support for turn-key implementation of its technology for both proprietary and biosimilar products. Additionally, iBio is developing select product candidates that have been derived from the iBioLaunch platform. The iBioLaunch platform is a proprietary, transformative technology for development and production of biologics using transient gene expression in unmodified green plants. The iBioModulator platform is complementary to the iBioLaunch platform and is designed to significantly improve vaccine products with both higher potency and greater duration of effect. The iBioModulator platform can be used with any recombinant expression technology for vaccine development and production. Further information is available at: www.ibioinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE CONCERNING IBIO’S FUTURE EXPECTATIONS MAY CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. SUCH STATEMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO THE POTENTIAL INTEREST OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES IN THIS INVENTION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEXT GENERATION VACCINES INVOLVE A NUMBER OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, COMPETITIVE FACTORS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANTIBODY FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANTHRAX AND MARKET DEMAND. ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. FURTHER INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE COMPANY’S REPORTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS REPRESENT IBIO’S VIEWS ONLY AS OF THE DATE HEREOF AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS REPRESENTING IBIO’S VIEWS AS OF ANY SUBSEQUENT DATE. IBIO DOES NOT ASSUME ANY OBLIGATION TO UPDATE ANY FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.

SOURCE iBio, Inc.