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Xenome and Flinders Partners to develop peptides to treat acute
19 / 11 / 2008
Xenome Limited today announced it has licensed intellectual property from Flinders Partners Pty Ltd (the technology transfer arm of Flinders University) in South Australia to develop peptides for the treatment of inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Acute pancreatitis is a poorly managed condition that accounts for over 200,000 hospitalisations a year in the US, with a mortality rate of approximately 10%.
The licensed technology relates to cell surface targets called the galanin receptors, which are associated with the nervous system and the endocrine (hormone) system. Galanin receptors are activated by the peptide galanin.
Researchers from Flinders University have demonstrated that binding of galanin to the
galanin receptors is involved in the biochemical cascade that leads to severe acute
pancreatitis. In addition, they have identified two peptides that block the activity of the galanin receptors in animal models of pancreatitis, resulting in amelioration of the disease.
Under the contract Xenome obtains access to all relevant patents, patent applications and
know-how associated with the Flinders University technology. Detailed commercial terms of
the contract remain confidential; however, in return for an exclusive development and
commercialisation licence, Xenome has agreed to pay Flinders Partners cash milestone
payments and royalties consistent with the stage of development of the technology.
Xenome will utilise its peptide drug development capabilities to modify the structure of the
peptides previously identified by Flinders University to create product candidates that have
improved drug properties. Suitable product candidates will be taken by Xenome into formal
pre-clinical development.
"This opportunity fits well with Xenome's peptide focus and the strategy of leveraging our
expertise in peptide chemistry to expand our development pipeline," said Dr Ian Nisbet, CEO
of Xenome.
"We will use technology from Flinders University and other external sources to complement
our internal discovery and development activities. New treatments for acute pancreatitis are
desperately needed and we're keen to take the technology from Flinders University forward
into development."
Mr Anthony Francis, managing director of Flinders Partners commented: "We are pleased to
see the ground-breaking science from Flinders University in the hands of a company like
Xenome, which has demonstrated its ability to move peptide drugs through discovery and into clinical development."
The licensed technology relates to cell surface targets called the galanin receptors, which are associated with the nervous system and the endocrine (hormone) system. Galanin receptors are activated by the peptide galanin.
Researchers from Flinders University have demonstrated that binding of galanin to the
galanin receptors is involved in the biochemical cascade that leads to severe acute
pancreatitis. In addition, they have identified two peptides that block the activity of the galanin receptors in animal models of pancreatitis, resulting in amelioration of the disease.
Under the contract Xenome obtains access to all relevant patents, patent applications and
know-how associated with the Flinders University technology. Detailed commercial terms of
the contract remain confidential; however, in return for an exclusive development and
commercialisation licence, Xenome has agreed to pay Flinders Partners cash milestone
payments and royalties consistent with the stage of development of the technology.
Xenome will utilise its peptide drug development capabilities to modify the structure of the
peptides previously identified by Flinders University to create product candidates that have
improved drug properties. Suitable product candidates will be taken by Xenome into formal
pre-clinical development.
"This opportunity fits well with Xenome's peptide focus and the strategy of leveraging our
expertise in peptide chemistry to expand our development pipeline," said Dr Ian Nisbet, CEO
of Xenome.
"We will use technology from Flinders University and other external sources to complement
our internal discovery and development activities. New treatments for acute pancreatitis are
desperately needed and we're keen to take the technology from Flinders University forward
into development."
Mr Anthony Francis, managing director of Flinders Partners commented: "We are pleased to
see the ground-breaking science from Flinders University in the hands of a company like
Xenome, which has demonstrated its ability to move peptide drugs through discovery and into clinical development."