Novozymes Biopharma enters licensing agreement with EpiVax
To advance treatments for autoimmune diseases
Novozymes Biopharma and EpiVax have entered a licensing agreement for the development of novel treatments for autoimmune diseases. The agreement follows two years of feasibility studies and allows EpiVax to use Novozymes’ albumin technologies to develop immunotherapies.
Novozymes will apply its Veltis technology to EpiVax’s Tregitope technology. Albumin works as a vehicle that transports the active drug ingredients throughout the body and increases the lifespan of the drug in the body to achieve improved patient compliance. As a result, it is possible to modulate half-life of a therapy to offer improved control, enhancing the overall efficacy of treatments.
'We are delighted to move into a licensing agreement with EpiVax in this key area of autoimmune diseases treatment,' said Peter Rosholm, Vice President of Novozymes Biopharma.
'In combination with the technologies and know-how EpiVax holds, Novozymes’ Veltis makes it possible to develop a potential “paradigm-shifting” treatment for autoimmune diseases.'
EpiVax has identified a set of natural peptide sequences, or epitopes, derived from Immunoglobulin G (IgG) that are potent activators of natural T regulatory cells (hence Tregitope). The initial application targeted by the Novozymes and Epivax collaboration will be the development of a recombinant alternative to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment.
'Novozymes’ proven solutions, technical expertise, and reputation as a reliable partner, makes it an ideal company for us to work with as we move our Tregitope immune-modulating technology even closer to clinical trials. After successful feasibility studies, we now move into the next phase, looking to develop a platform for immunomodulation that will change the way that we treat autoimmune diseases, allergy and transplantation,' added Annie De Groot, CEO/CSO of EpiVax.
