Biotie Therapies Corp. (FI) - Roche and BioTie collaborate on smal ...

Basel, Switzerland and Turku, Finland -  20 December, 2004 Roche and BioTie today announced a collaboration and option agreement to develop BioTie's proprietary small molecule vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) program targeting inflammatory diseases. Inhibiting VAP-1 is believed to reduce inflammation by regulating the flow of leukocytes, or white blood cells, to inflamed tissues. 

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will contribute its expertise to BioTie's development of VAP-1 small molecule inhibitor candidates.  At defined stages, Roche will have exclusive option rights to license any VAP-1 inhibitor candidate worldwide, excluding Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia.  By extending its option rights to phase IIb, Roche could pay BioTie €5 million and BioTie will retain all rights to any compounds developed until a license is granted to Roche.

 

"This is an innovative partnership where Roche can contribute considerable expertise, specifically within the field of anti-inflammatory diseases, and assist BioTie in carrying the research and development forward," said Peter Hug, Head of Roche Pharma Partnering.

 

"This collaboration is a major milestone in BioTie's history as it validates VAP-1 as a target for small molecule inhibitors," said Jari Saarinen, BioTie's President and CEO. "The VAP-1 project will now receive the attention and expertise of a leading innovation-driven pharmaceutical company that possesses in-depth knowledge in the novel treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases."

 

Autoimmune disorders caused by the body producing an immune response against its own tissues, often causing inflammation of joints, organs and tissues.  Over 80 chronic autoimmune disorders have been recognized.  According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, approximately 50 million Americans (20% of the population) suffer from autoimmune diseases. Approximately 75% of cases occur in women.

 

BioTie's proprietary drug development target, Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 (VAP-1), is a dual-function molecule with enzymatic and adhesion activities. VAP-1 contributes to the adhesion of white blood cells to endothelial cells and is greatly amplified in inflamed blood vessels. The VAP-1 semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) enzyme contributes to the production of molecules that exacerbate inflammation. VAP-1 specific monoclonal antibodies and VAP-1 small molecule inhibitors have been shown in animal models of inflammation to be potent inhibitors of disease activity. BioTie holds several patents, patent applications and other intellectual property rights on VAP-1 and VAP-1 SSAO inhibitors in U.S., Europe, and Japan.

 

During 2003-2004 BioTie has signed 4 major research, collaboration and license agreements. In April 2003, BioTie entered into a territorial (Far East) licensing agreement with Seikagaku Corporation a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company. In March 2004, BioTie signed a global research, development and collaboration agreement with Aventis the multinational  pharmaceutical company, which this year merged with Sanofi. In November 2004, BioTie signed a territorial (North-America) license agreement with Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, an American specialty pharmaceutical company.

 

BioTie is a publicly traded Finnish biotech company specialized in pharmaceutical product development. It is located in Turku, Finland. Its main focus is on developing products for the treatment of dependence disorders, inflammatory diseases and thrombosis.  BioTie's shares are listed on the Helsinki Exchanges (HEX).  For more information, please visit www.biotie.com.

 

Roche is a valued partner to around 50 companies worldwide.  In 2003, Roche led the pharmaceutical industry in the number of product deals signed, bringing 10 potential products into the company, including a new antibiotic, a novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, and an exciting cardiovascular compound. Roche's alliance strategy is to enable our partners to grow through a flexible and collaborative approach.

 

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-intensive healthcare groups. Its core businesses are pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2003, the Pharmaceuticals Division generated 19.8 billion Swiss francs in prescription drug sales, while the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 7.4 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai.

 

 

Contacts: Roche- Europe Sabrina Oei Pharma Partnering Tel: +41 61 688 9358 sabrina.oei@roche.com

Maria Payne        DeFacto Communications Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1000 m.payne@defacto.com

BioTie Therapies Corp. Jari Saarinen, President and CEO Tel: +358 2 274 8954 Mobile: +358 40 500 4206 jari.saarinen@biotie.com http://www.biotie.com" class="hugin">www.biotie.com

 

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