|
PDC Biotech GmbH (PDC) and Theratechnologies today announced having entered into an exclusive license agreement for Theratechnologies' family of antagonists of the prostaglandin F2a receptor for use in preterm labour and primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
Vienna, Austria and Montreal, Canada | May 12, 2008 | PDC Biotech GmbH (PDC) (privately-held) and Theratechnologies (TSX:TH) today announced having entered into an exclusive license agreement for Theratechnologies' family of antagonists of the prostaglandin F2a receptor for use in preterm labour and primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). In June 2006, Theratechnologies had granted an option to licence PDC31 (formerly Theratechnologies' THG113.31) which had shown efficacy in vitro and in animal models in pre-term labour. With this exclusive licence PDC will be developing both an injectable formulation for the treatment of preterm labour and a topical formulation of this compound for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"The prostaglandin F2a receptor is known to be involved in uterine contractions and therefore there is tremendous potential in using an inhibitor of this receptor in these two indications," said Ms. Diane Kalina, President and CEO of PDC. "There is strong interest both scientifically and commercially in developing and marketing products effective for preterm labour and primary dysmenorrhea because there is an unmet medical need," Ms. Kalina concluded.
"In 2005, Theratechnologies decided to refocus its corporate resources on its HIV-associated lipodystrophy program. Part of this focussing effort was to out-licence non-core assets and the signing of this licensing agreement continues to achieve this goal," said Mr. Yves Rosconi, President and CEO of Theratechnologies.
PDC's initial focus is to obtain clinical proof-of-concept with the injectable formulation of PDC31 by demonstrating its ability to stop uterine contractions in healthy women with primary dysmenorrhea. "A positive outcome with an injectable formulation in the planned Phase I/II study would support moving forward with the injectable in preterm labour and with a topical formulation (PDC41) in primary dysmenorrhea," said Ms. Patricia Griffin, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer of PDC.
Preterm Labour
Preterm labour is defined as regular contractions associated with cervical changes occurring before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm birth, which is considered to be the most important perinatal challenge facing industrialized countries, is most often preceded by preterm labour. There are currently no approved treatments for prevention of preterm birth in North America and primarily only one approved therapy in Europe.
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is a disabling condition found in women of childbearing age with a high prevalence among adolescent females. Severe abdominal pain is caused by frequent and prolonged uterine contractions that decrease blood flow to the myometrium resulting in ischemia.
About PDC Biotech GmbH
PDC Biotech GmbH (PDC) (formerly Pharmaceutical Development Corporation) is a privately held Austrian biopharmaceutical company focussed on women's health. The company moved to Austria following the securing of € 1 million in seed funding from the Austria Wirtschaftsservice (the federal promotional bank of the Republic of Austria). The company was founded by two Canadian industry entrepreneurs, Diane Kalina and Patricia Griffin. PDC is developing a pipeline of novel compounds which target the prostaglandin F2a receptor for the treatment of preterm labour and primary dysmenorrhea. http://www.pdcbiotech.com/
About Theratechnologies
Theratechnologies (TSX:TH) is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company that discovers innovative drug candidates in order to develop them and bring them to market. The Company targets unmet medical needs in financially attractive specialty markets. Its most advanced program is tesamorelin, now in a confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial for a serious metabolic disorder known as HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The Company also has other projects at earlier stages of development. http://www.theratech.com
SOURCE: PDC Biotech GmbH (PDC) and Theratechnologies |
