Paris, October 13, 2009 -- Neovacs, a biotechnology company developing proprietary immunotherapeutics for autoimmune and chronic diseases, today announced that two posters on pre-clinical results achieved with its Kinoid immunotherapy technology in different applications will be presented at the ACR/ARHP 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting (October 17th-21st in Philadelphia).
Both poster presentations are part of the morning session on Monday, October 19th, in Hall D of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Professor Marie-Christophe Boissier (Head of the Rheumatology Department at Avicenne Hospital, University of Paris 13, Bobigny, France) will present a poster entitled “Active immunization against VEGF improves joint inflammation and destruction in collagen-induced arthritis”. Geraldine Grouard-Vogel, PhD (Neovacs’ Head of Research and Pre-clinical Development) will present a poster entitled “Active immunization with IFNa Kinoid induces polyclonal antibodies that neutralize IFNa from systemic lupus erythematosus patients.”
Neovacs’ VEGF Kinoid is in pre-clinical development for indications in cancer and ophthalmology. Neovacs expects to initiate clinical testing of its IFNa Kinoid in lupus patients later this year or early in 2010.
About Neovacs
The biotechnology company Neovacs is focusing on an active immunotherapy technology platform with applications in autoimmune disease and other chronic conditions. It was founded as a spin-off from Pierre & Marie Curie University in Paris by Professor Daniel Zagury, MD, one of the world’s leading immunologists. The key investors are Truffle Capital, Novartis Venture Fund and OTC Asset Management.
The company’s leading product candidate (an immunotherapy targeting certain inflammatory diseases) is currently undergoing a Phase I/II clinical trial in Crohn’s disease patients. This therapeutic is also at the heart of a collaboration (with the diagnostics company BMD) aimed at developing novel theranostic tools for personalized care.
Neovacs’ near-term milestones include the expansion of the lead clinical program (TNFa Kinoid) into new indications (H2 2009) and first-in-man trials of a second product - an immunotherapy targeting lupus (H2 2009/H1 2010). The company’s R&D efforts have generated a broad patent estate.
Disclaimer: drug development is an inherently uncertain and unpredictable process. Neovacs’ forward-looking statements depend on research that has yet to be performed and on a number of other factors. As a consequence, the company’s future performance and financial results may differ significantly from those currently forecast.
