The German-American biotech company MediGene AG (Frankfurt, TecDAX) has granted a number of licenses to the US Virionics Corporation for the use of the CVLP vaccine program. CVLPs (chimeric virus-like particles) are based on human papilloma viruses (HPV). The drug may be applied as both a therapeutic against precursors of cervical cancer, and as a prophylactic vaccine against HPV. MediGene’s patents and know-how in the development of these tumor vaccines are major subjects of the contract. Virionics commits itself to initiate a clinical phase II trial of the CVLPs. In return, MediGene successively receives a share of up to 15% in Virionics, plus a participation in sales and future milestone payments in case sublicenses are granted to third parties. Moreover, MediGene holds pan-European marketing rights to the drugs developed.
