VIENNA, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —
Vienna based biotech company APEIRON Biologics AG (Apeiron)
strengthens its oncology pipeline: The company will support the
clinical development of an immune therapy against high-risk
neuroblastoma that is being conducted by the
Children‘s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) and the
European Neuroblastoma Research Network (SIOPEN). It is presently
under investigation in a phase III trial across various European
clinical centers. In return, Apeiron obtains the rights to file for
regulatory approval and to market the final product. The approach
is based on a monoclonal antibody (ch14.18) and constitutes
Apeiron‘s most advanced project. It also marks
another milestone for the company and its development strategy to
treat neuroblastoma. This strategy was initiated earlier this year
with the licensing of a clinical phase II project from Merck
KGaA.
Today, Vienna based Apeiron announced the conclusion of an
agreement with the Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) and
the European Neuroblastoma Research Network (SIOPEN). Thereby,
Apeiron obtains the rights to further develop, file for regulatory
approval and market the antibody ch14.18. This monoclonal antibody
exhibits therapeutic effect against high-risk neuroblastoma, an
aggressive form of infant cancer. The antibody specifically targets
the antigen GD2, a feature on the surface of neuroblastoma cells
and thereby initiates an immune reaction against these cells.
As part of the agreement, Apeiron will provide substantial
support for an ongoing European clinical phase III trial with
ch14.18. Due to the limited number of clinical centers specializing
in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma, Apeiron is considering
marketing the therapy on its own.
The Austrian company Polymun Scientific, a long-time business
partner of Apeiron, has already been producing clinical supplies
for the CCRI/SIOPEN spo
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