Chippenham, UK and Brussels, Belgium – 30 September 2013: Vectura Group plc (LSE: VEC; “Vectura”) and UCB (EBR: UCB; “UCB”) today announced that they have entered into a collaboration for the development of an innovative biologic immunomodulatory product in the area of severe inflammatory respiratory disease.
The collaboration aims to leverage Vectura’s expertise in the pharmaceutical and clinical/regulatory development of inhaled therapeutics with UCB’s biologics and immunology assets. The collaboration will focus on bringing to clinical proof-of-concept a UCB-generated biological therapy targeting a key molecule in the immune system.
The companies will jointly manage the programme, with UCB focusing on bioprocess and preclinical development and Vectura taking responsibility for the pharmaceutical and clinical development of the dry powder product through to clinical proof-of-concept.
Financial terms of the collaboration have not been disclosed.
Dr. Chris Blackwell, Chief Executive of Vectura commented: “Vectura’s growth depends in large part on its ability to remain at the cutting edge of development of products targeting airways-related disease. This is a significant collaboration that combines the innovative and development strengths of Vectura and UCB, and mitigates the cost and risk of development of novel products, in line with our stated strategy.”
Dr. Mark Bodmer, Vice President UCB New Medicines, Head of Immunology said: “There is significant unmet need that is driven by disorders of the immune system. By bringing together UCB’s biologics and immunology expertise and Vectura’s disease know-how and technologies, we hope to bring relief to people suffering from these severe illnesses worldwide. We are very pleased to be working with Vectura for the unique opportunity created by combining our expertise.”
Enquiries
Vectura Group plc
+44 (0)1249 667700
Chris Blackwell, Chief Executive
Karl Keegan, Corporate Development Director
FTI Consulting
+44 (0)20 7831 3113
John Dineen / Ben Atwell
About Vectura
Vectura Group plc and its subsidiaries (“Vectura” or the “Group”) is a product development company that focuses on the development of pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of airway-related diseases. This growing market includes asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is estimated to be worth in excess of $30 billion worldwide.
Vectura has seven products marketed by its partners and a portfolio of drugs in clinical development, a number of which have been licensed to major pharmaceutical companies. Vectura has development collaborations and licence agreements with several pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, Sandoz (the generics arm of Novartis), Baxter, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Tianjin King York Group Company Limited (KingYork).
Vectura seeks to develop certain programmes itself where this will optimise value. Vectura’s formulation and inhalation technologies are available to other pharmaceutical companies on an out-licensing basis where this complements Vectura’s business strategy. For further information, please visit Vectura’s website at www.vectura.com.
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With 9000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.4 billion in 2012. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development and commercialisation of products. Various risks may cause Vectura’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programmes; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialise products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialisation activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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