PARIS and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Peptimmune Inc. and
Orphan Europe sarl have signed a Scientific Collaboration and License
Agreement regarding the development of a peptide immunotherapy for the
treatment of pemphigus vulgaris. The aim of the collaboration is to bring
to market a new efficient drug to treat this rare, life-threatening,
autoimmune skin disease.
Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by blistering of the skin and the
mucous membranes, and the patient will suffer progressive skin loss until
sepsis occurs. If the disease is left untreated, the mortality rate is over
95% within five years. Today patients are treated with high-dose steroids
for many years which may have serious, debilitating side effects, as well
as with drugs suppressing the immune system. Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare
disease: about 30 - 40,000 patients suffer from it worldwide with a
concentration among the Ashkenazi Jewish population.
The goal of this new therapy is to selectively suppress the production
of anti-desmoglein 3 autoantibodies, the pathogenic agent in pemphigus
vulgaris. It is hoped that this will reduce or potentially eliminate the
need for high dose steroids and immunosuppressants.
Peptimmune has conducted a phase 1 trial establishing the safety of the
treatment and an orphan drug designation has been obtained in the USA.
Orphan Europe will continue the development and conduct clinical trials to
take the product through the regulatory process in Europe up to marketing
authorization. Orphan Europe will then market the product in Europe, the
Middle East and Africa.
"The collaboration with Peptimmune reinforces our strategy to provide
new treatments for rare diseases with an unmet medical need," says Mr.
William Gunnarsson, founder and CEO of Orphan Europe. "We have already
taken several orphan drugs from laboratory test environment to market
authorization and worldwide distribution. This project has a great
potential to help patients who are in need of an effective and safe
treatment."
"This relationship leverages Peptimmune's fundamental research of
pemphigus vulgaris and Orphan Europe's expertise in development and
commercialization towards a new treatment paradigm for this very difficult
to treat disease," commented Thomas P. Mathers, President and CEO of
Peptimmune.
About Peptimunne:
Peptimmune, Inc. is a privately held clinical stage biotechnology
company developing a pipeline of peptide based therapeutics for the
treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. The company is developing
second generation therapeutics that are expected to result in safer and
more effective therapies for multiple sclerosis, pemphigus vulgaris,
rheumatoid arthritis and obesity. Founded by a team of world class
scientists and led by an experienced management team, Peptimmune's mission
is to reduce the burden these diseases place on the individuals, their
families and the healthcare system. For information, access our website at
http://www.peptimmune.com.
About Orphan Europe
Founded in 1990, Orphan Europe is a privately held pharmaceutical
company developing and distributing orphan drugs for the treatment of rare
diseases. The company has a unique experience in this field and has taken
several products through development process to market authorization. Today
Orphan Europe provides a dozen different medicinal products to patients all
over the world. The company headquarter is located in Paris and it has
subsidiaries in most European countries, as well as in the Middle East.
Orphan Europe is committed to the improvement of knowledge about rare
disorders and has founded the Orphan Europe Academy.
For more information: http://www.orphan-europe.com and
http://www.orphan-europe-academy.com
SOURCE Peptimmune
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Related links:
http://www.peptimmune.com
http://www.orphan-europe-academy.com
CONTACT:
Dustan Bonnin, Business Development of
Peptimmune, Direct, +1-617-715-8043, or
dustan.bonnnin@peptimmune.com
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