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| Berna and Iomai Announce Collaboration for Patch Delivery of Vaccines |
BERNE, Switzerland, and WASHINGTON, April 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Berna Biotech Ltd. (SWX: BBIN) and Iomai Corporation, a private
biopharmaceutical company, today announced a collaboration for the development
of vaccines for administration using a skin patch.
The collaboration will pool Berna's expertise in the development of
vaccines and novel adjuvants with Iomai's expertise in skin delivery using its
proprietary patch technology. Needle-free delivery has become a global
priority because of the risk of needle-borne diseases associated with re-use
and improper disposal of needles. Delivery of vaccines across the skin using a
patch not only addresses this issue, but may elicit a stronger immune response
through delivery to the skin, an area rich in immune cells. Furthermore, it
would have the advantages of simplifying delivery and avoiding the use of
needle, and may, therefore, improve compliance with vaccination.
Under the terms of the agreement, Berna Biotech and Iomai, through Xairo
Corporation, Ltd., its joint venture with Elan Corporation plc (NYSE: ELN),
may develop a number of prophylactic and therapeutic bacterial and viral
vaccines using Iomai's proprietary patch technology to deliver certain of
Berna's GMP-produced antigens and/ or adjuvants. Research will be performed
principally in Berne, Switzerland, and Gaithersburg, MD. No financial details
were disclosed.
About the partners:
Berna Biotech Ltd (the former Swiss Serum & Vaccine Institute Berne), an
independent biotechnology company in the field of immunization, is a leading
developer and producer of viral and bacterial vaccines. In 2001, Berna
Biotech, with more than 650 employees, generated sales of above
CHF 300 million. Berna Biotech is a public company with a broad shareholder
base. Its shares are listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (BBIN SWX).
Iomai Corporation is a private biopharmaceutical company that has
pioneered the delivery of vaccines to the skin through a proprietary
technology known as transcutaneous immunization or TCI. The company has an
exclusive, worldwide license to TCI, and has confirmed the potential of TCI in
multiple clinical trials. Through a joint venture with Elan, the company has
combined its expertise in transcutaneous immunization with Elan's expertise in
transdermal patch technologies. The joint venture currently has four product
candidates in clinical trials, including one in Phase II evaluations.
SOURCE Berna Biotech Ltd.; Iomai Corporation
back to topCompany News On-Call:
CONTACT:
Patrik Richard, Corporate Secretary of Berna
Biotech Ltd., +41-31-980-64-91, or fax +41-31-980-62-29
