Alexion Decision Driven by Strategic Review of R&D Activities
Collaboration Enabled Further Optimization of LNP for Delivery of mRNA
Arbutus Views LNP as a Potential Source of Significant Non-Dilutive Capital
VANCOUVER, Canada and WARMINSTER, PA, USA I July 27, 2017 I Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq:ABUS), an industry-leading Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) therapeutic solutions company, today announced that it has received notice of termination from Alexion Pharmaceuticals Holding (Alexion) for the companies’ LNP license agreement, which was signed and announced in March 2017. Alexion’s termination of the LNP license agreement was driven by a strategic review of Alexion’s business and research and development portfolio, which included a decision to discontinue development of mRNA therapeutics.
“While we are disappointed to have our collaboration with Alexion come to an end, we are encouraged by the positive preclinical efficacy data generated and the advances in the platform made in the short time we worked on this project,” said Dr. Mark J Murray, Arbutus’ President and CEO. “The work we did with Alexion provided a great opportunity to refine the LNP formulation process for mRNA-based therapeutics at larger scale. We continue to see a high level of interest in our LNP technology from companies in the mRNA therapeutics and gene editing fields. This collaboration confirms our belief that our high quality LNP is a critical component for successful development of an mRNA-based therapy. We expect to complete additional LNP transactions to generate non-dilutive capital to support our HBV R&D activities.”
“Our decision to end our collaboration with Arbutus was driven by a strategic realignment of our R&D portfolio,” said Jim Loerop, Alexion’s SVP, Global Business Development. “We were pleased with the technology and service we received from Arbutus and we view Arbutus’ LNP as a valuable delivery solution for mRNA therapeutics.”
About Arbutus
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing a cure for patients suffering from chronic HBV infection. Arbutus is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, and has facilities in Warminster, PA. For more information, visit www.arbutusbio.com.
SOURCE: Arbutus Biopharma
Post Views: 23
Alexion Decision Driven by Strategic Review of R&D Activities
Collaboration Enabled Further Optimization of LNP for Delivery of mRNA
Arbutus Views LNP as a Potential Source of Significant Non-Dilutive Capital
VANCOUVER, Canada and WARMINSTER, PA, USA I July 27, 2017 I Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq:ABUS), an industry-leading Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) therapeutic solutions company, today announced that it has received notice of termination from Alexion Pharmaceuticals Holding (Alexion) for the companies’ LNP license agreement, which was signed and announced in March 2017. Alexion’s termination of the LNP license agreement was driven by a strategic review of Alexion’s business and research and development portfolio, which included a decision to discontinue development of mRNA therapeutics.
“While we are disappointed to have our collaboration with Alexion come to an end, we are encouraged by the positive preclinical efficacy data generated and the advances in the platform made in the short time we worked on this project,” said Dr. Mark J Murray, Arbutus’ President and CEO. “The work we did with Alexion provided a great opportunity to refine the LNP formulation process for mRNA-based therapeutics at larger scale. We continue to see a high level of interest in our LNP technology from companies in the mRNA therapeutics and gene editing fields. This collaboration confirms our belief that our high quality LNP is a critical component for successful development of an mRNA-based therapy. We expect to complete additional LNP transactions to generate non-dilutive capital to support our HBV R&D activities.”
“Our decision to end our collaboration with Arbutus was driven by a strategic realignment of our R&D portfolio,” said Jim Loerop, Alexion’s SVP, Global Business Development. “We were pleased with the technology and service we received from Arbutus and we view Arbutus’ LNP as a valuable delivery solution for mRNA therapeutics.”
About Arbutus
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing a cure for patients suffering from chronic HBV infection. Arbutus is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, and has facilities in Warminster, PA. For more information, visit www.arbutusbio.com.
SOURCE: Arbutus Biopharma
Post Views: 23
