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MOLOGEN has received approval from the relevant health authorities to carry out a study using its MGN1703 cancer drug, which is based on the dSLIM(R) DNA immunomodulator
Berlin, Germany | May 05, 2008 | Berlin-based biotechnology company MOLOGEN has received approval from the relevant health authorities to carry out a study using its MGN1703 cancer drug, which is based on the dSLIM(R) DNA immunomodulator.
The approval-related study (Phase I) will be carried out on cancer patients to test the safety, compatibility and immunological impact of MGN1703. Patients who suffer from the most commonly occurring cancers will be included in the study. It will form the basis of an extensive clinical development program. MOLOGEN plans to establish MGN1703 as an effective and compatible form of cancer therapy. Experts estimate that there is a global market of several billion US dollars for innovative, immunomodulatory forms of cancer therapy.
The study is to be carried out at the renowned cancer centers of the university clinics of Essen and Cologne and will last approximately six months. MOLOGEN believes that the study and patient admission can commence in a few weeks, as only the last few formalities required by the authorities still have to be met.
“Approval for the MGN1703 study is a great success which rewards our intensive efforts in this field“, said Dr Matthias Schroff, CEO of MOLOGEN AG. “We now have the chance to demonstrate the great potential for dSLIM(R) as an innovative form of cancer therapy.”
dSLIM(R) - an innovative TLR9 agonist
In dSLIM(R) (“double Stem Loop Immunomodulator”), MOLOGEN has developed an innovative TLR9 agonist. Use of dSLIM(R) activates the immune system to protect against tumor-associated antigens by targeting the TLR9 receptor on certain immune cells. As a result of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, tumor-associated antigens are released by cancer cells. The immune system activated by dSLIM(R) is in a position to overcome its fatal tolerance towards cancer cells and advance against them strategically.
Market for immunomodulatory therapies worth billions
In terms of efficacy and compatibility, immunomodulatory therapies could mean a real medical breakthrough in the fight against cancer. Experts estimate that there is a global market worth billions of US Dollars for such therapies.
Pharmaceutical companies are therefore extremely interested in securing the rights to molecules like TLR9 agonist and testing substances in many different indications. The recent acquisition of a US competitor by a globally operating pharmaceutical group is convincing proof of the great potential attributed internationally to TLR technology.
About MOLOGEN
MOLOGEN AG, a biopharmaceutical company based in Berlin, specializes in the research and development of innovative medicines based on DNA structures (DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid).
Its patented DNA-based technology platforms MIDGE(R) and dSLIM(R) form a universal foundation with a wide range of possible applications. Activities focus on product developments for the treatment of cancer and vaccines for serious infections in humans and animals.
MOLOGEN was founded in 1998 and was the first German biotechnology company to go public. MOLOGEN AG shares are listed in the General Standard of Deutsche Börse (ISIN DE 0006637200).
SOURCE: MOLOGEN AG |
