Orphan Medicinal Products gain from a variety of incentives such as scientific advice and protocol assistance from EMEA during the product development phase, a 10-year marketing exclusivity, fee reductions or exemptions as well as further national incentives. The funds made available by the European Community for fee exemptions for orphan medicinal products amounted to 6 million € in 2007.
KN38-7271 is being tested by KeyNeurotek Pharmaceuticals in an international Phase II study in more than 90 patients with severe TBI since the end of 2006. The cannabinoid receptor agonist activates both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, strengthening important natural protection mechanisms and preventing overacting inflammatory reactions. Four clinical Phase I trials indicated that the product is safe well tolerated in humans.
Dr Frank Striggow, CEO of KeyNeurotek Pharmaceuticals, said: „We are very pleased about this very positive EMEA decision. The Orphan Drug Designation will boost the further clinical development and marketing of our lead product KN38-7271.”
About KeyNeurotek Pharmaceuticals AG
KeyNeurotek Pharmaceuticals, a privately held biotechnology company, was founded in 2000 within the Magdeburg, Germany, region, one of the leading centres of neuroscience in Europe.
The company pursues a number of drug candidates in various preclinical and clinical stages. The most advanced compound, KN38-7271, a cannabinoid receptor agonist, is in a Phase IIa trial in comatose patients with traumatic brain injury. At present, there is no targeted therapy for these patients.
KeyNeurotek Pharmaceuticals has unique functional and tissue-based high throughput screening platforms for compatible ex vivo and in vivo studies (TELOMICSTM). Based on its know-how, KeyNeurotek develops innovative therapies for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, Alzheimer's disease and urinary incontinence/overactive bladder.
The company has built a strong network with renowned local and international partners, including, among others, the Leibniz Association, the Max Planck Society and Fraunhofer Society, Evotec, Schwarz Pharma/UCB, Bayer Schering and Gruenenthal. KeyNeurotek has been awarded the Hugo-Junckers Innovation Award of the State of Sachsen-Anhalt in 2002 and 2004 and the Innovation Award of the German Industry in 2006.
Contact:
Dr Frank Striggow
KeyNeurotek Pharmaceuticals AG
ZENIT-Technologiepark
Leipziger Str. 44
D-39120 Magdeburg
Germany
Tel.: +49 391 6117 220
Fax: +49 391 6117 221
frank.striggow@keyneurotek.de
www.keyneurotek.de
Dr Ludger Weß
akampion
Saseler Loge 6b
D-22393 Hamburg
Germany
Tel. +49 40 88 16 59 64
Mobile +49 160 96 65 29 58
ludger@akampion.com
www.akampion.com