14th Jul 2016 09:52
LONDON (Alliance News) - Abzena PLC on Thursday said it has formed a joint venture company with Texas-based Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, which will develop immunotherapies for conditions such as cancer or autoimmune diseases.
The life sciences group said the joint venture, Denceptor Therapeutics Ltd, will develop Abzena's 'Inside' immunotherapeutic products using Baylor Scott & White Research Institute's dendritic cell receptor-targeting antibodies.
Abzena said Denceptor will operate as a virtual business and outsource its development and manufacturing activities. Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and Abzena will be among the outsourced service providers.
Abzena added that the joint venture has secured the option to exclusively licence antibodies from Baylor Scott & White Research Institute with a sub-license to the humanized versions of the antibodies created by Abzena.
Denceptor, which has been incorporated as a private limited company in Cambridge in the UK, will seek third party funding to support the clinical development of its lead product, an immunotherapy for head and neck cancer. The funding will also be used to progress other preclinical stage programmes into clinical development, Abzena said.
"We have a longstanding relationship with Baylor and have always admired the work they do and recognise their significant expertise in the field of dendritic cell research. We believe that through this joint venture Abzena can make a significant contribution to the development of new, smart, immunotherapies to tackle difficult to treat conditions such as cancer and autoimmune diseases," said Chief Executive John Burt.
Shares in Abzena were up 0.5% at 40.20 pence on Thursday.
By Hannah Boland; [email protected]; @Hannaheboland
Copyright 2016 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Abzena