Onyvax Licenses Anti-cancer Vaccine from Cancer
Research Campaign Technology
Onyvax Limited (London, UK; http://www.onyvax.com) and Cancer Research
Campaign Technology Limited (CRCT) have signed an agreement granting
Onyvax exclusive world-wide rights to develop the anti-cancer vaccine,
105AD7. Onyvax will initially evaluate the vaccine as a treatment
for colorectal cancer for which clinical trials will commence in
the next twelve months. The vaccine may also be evaluated in a range
of other tumour types. The financial terms of the agreement have
not been disclosed but include an upfront payment, development milestones
and royalties paid to CRCT.
Onyvax is an early stage biotechnology company focussed on the
research and development of vaccines and other therapies which will
direct the immune system to attack cancer cells. Anthony Walker,
Chief Executive of Onyvax said "105AD7 is an exciting opportunity
to develop a technology that is highly complementary to Onyvax's
existing cancer immunotherapy programmes. If successful in clinical
trials, this product will address significant unmet medical needs
in a number of major cancer types".
The vaccine, 105AD7, was developed by Dr Linda Durrant at the University
of Nottingham funded by the Cancer Research Campaign. The vaccine
is based on an antibody which mimics a naturally occurring molecule
called Decay Accelerating Factor (DAF, CD55) which is present and
often over expressed in a range of cancers including colorectal
and ovarian. The vaccine works by generating a potent immune response
against DAF resulting in the selective killing of cancerous cells.
The 105AD7 antibody is covered by a granted European patent and
is the subject of a US patent application.
