ST. LOUIS, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt Inc. (NYSE: MKG) announced
today it has signed an agreement with Trimeris Inc. (Nasdaq: TRMS),
Durham, N.C., to supply large-scale quantities of an investigational peptide,
T-20, for use in continuing clinical trials for a novel therapeutic for the
treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV).
Trimeris also has recently entered into a collaboration with
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. for the development and commercialization of
T-20, currently in Phase II clinical trials. Trimeris's lead product
candidate, T-20, inhibits fusion of HIV with host cells. Unlike traditional
AIDS drugs that work in the cell after the virus has taken over its machinery,
T-20 attacks HIV outside the cell, before it begins replicating and infecting
other cells.
For the past two years, Mallinckrodt scientists have worked closely with
scientists from Trimeris to improve and scale up the novel and unique
synthetic manufacturing process for T-20 developed by Trimeris. "The
requirement for T-20 peptide when it is commercialized will most likely
represent the largest volume ever produced for a synthetic peptide of its size
and structure," according to Michael J. Collins, president of Mallinckrodt's
Pharmaceuticals Group. "We're extremely pleased to be working with Trimeris
and Roche and are especially pleased to be able to contribute Mallinckrodt's
unique skills in the scale up of complex peptide chemistry to the development
of this important and potentially lifesaving new drug," Collins added.
Peptides are chains of amino acids. Mallinckrodt has been involved in
small-scale peptides development for about seven years, primarily for use in
clinical trials or New Drug Application (NDA) submissions to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).
"This scale-up process performed by Mallinckrodt represents an important
milestone in the manufacture of T-20," stated Dr. Dani Bolognesi, chief
executive officer of Trimeris. "The quality of T-20 produced by
Mallinckrodt's manufacturing team is excellent," Bolognesi added.
Mallinckrodt Inc. is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty
medical products in three essential areas of healthcare -- analgesic
pharmaceuticals, diagnostic imaging and respiratory care. Based in
St. Louis, Mo., the company operates in more than 100 countries and had fiscal
1999 net sales of $2.6 billion. The Mallinckrodt website address is
http://www.mallinckrodt.com .
CONTACT: Media, Barbara Abbett, 314-654-5230, barbara.abbett@mkg.com, or
Investors, Barbara Gould, 314-654-3190, Invest@mkg.com, both of Mallinckrodt.
SOURCE Mallinckrodt, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.mallinckrodt.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/440950.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 440950
CONTACT:
Media, Barbara Abbett, 314-654-5230,
barbara.abbett@mkg.com, or Investors, Barbara Gould,
314-654-3190, Invest@mkg.com, both of Mallinckrodt
|
