Intercell acquires antibody technology platform to further exploit its capabilities to combat infectious diseases
Intercell AG announced that it has signed an agreement with Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. to acquire Cytos' platform technology for monoclonal antibody discovery. The technology is based on Expression cloning of monoclonal antibodies from human B-cells and enables the identification of anti-infective antibodies to prevent and treat infectious diseases.
Under the agreed terms Intercell will pay EUR 15 million to Cytos. Intercell will own certain unpartnered monoclonal antibody assets, including promising pre-clinical anti-infective antibody candidates discovered by Cytos. The key scientists, who have very successfully developed the technology at Cytos, will be employed by Intercell. The antibody technology complements Intercell's technology platforms and opens novel medically and commercially relevant applications for Intercell's Antigen Identification Program (AIP®). The AIP® has delivered promising vaccine candidates against Staphylococcus aureus (Phase II/III) and Pneumococcus (Phase I) infections, among others, and has also been the basis for partnerships in the antibody field with Merck & Co. and Kyowa Hakko Kirin in these indications, respectively.
In its future antibody discovery activities Intercell will focus on medically and commercially attractive AIP®derived disease targets including Group B Streptococcus and bacteria involved in hospital acquired infections.
“Cytos' outstanding antibody technology complements our innovative R&D technology platform and enables pipeline progression within our existing portfolio”, stated Gerd Zettlmeissl, Chief Executive Officer of Intercell.
Wolfgang Renner, CEO of Cytos, commented: “Intercell, as a leading anti-infective company, is ideally positioned through its Antigen Identification Program (AIP®), to capture the full value of our monoclonal antibody discovery platform. We are very glad that our technology will support Intercell in discovering important new monoclonal antibodies to combat infectious diseases.”
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Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous