MedImmune and 3M Partner in Cancer Drug Research

MedImmune,the biotech subsidiary of British pharma titan AstraZeneca,and 3M Drug Delivery Systems announced a research collaboration on 25 September 2015.It is focused on developing nextgen toll-like receptor agonists,which are agents that activate innate immune cells and enhance the visibility of cancer tumours.MedImmune has licensed MEDI9197 from 3M,which the US FDA recently accepted for an investigational drug application,allowing a Phase I study on its safety and tolerability as a potential treatment for solid tumour patients.*
Such TLR agonists activate antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells,enhancing the visibility of a tumour to the immune system.MEDI9197 has been designed to activate a broad range of innate immune cells,leading to a more robust adaptive immune response.
Preclinial studies show MEDI9197 may inhibit tumour growth of both the injected and distant lesions in multiple types of cancer,including melanoma skin cancer.It is designed for intratumoural injection,allowing the compound to be retained in the tumour and provide specific immune activation,enhancing its safety and tolerability.*
MEDI9197 adds a unique mechanism to our growing portfolio,and supports our strategy of maximising anti-tumour immunity through scientifically rational combinations,said MedImmune Sr. Vice President and Head of Research Yong-Jun Liu,PhD.*
Everyone here at 3M's Drug Delivery Systems is very excited to collaborate with MedImmune,a world leader in cancer immunotherapy,according to Cindy Kent,President and General Manager of 3M DDS.We're very pleased with the progression of MEDI9197 to the clinic.*
Under the deal,MedImmune will be responsible for the clinical development and strategy for MEDI9197.3M will continue to develop more TLR agonists in oncology and other therapy areas,with MedImmune holding exclusive rights to conduct research on new molecules resulting from the collaboration,and to determine which to progress to clinical development.
MedImmune will make an upfront payment to 3M and must make developmental milestone payments for MEDI9197,as well as provide research funding to 3M.*
MedImmune is based in Gaithersburg,Maryland and is best known for its Flu-Mist influenza vaccines and its pediatric vaccine Synagis,which prevents the serious respiratory disease RSV.3M is a Saint Paul,Minnesota-based multinational corporation with 11 lines of business.It is famous for products such as the iconic Scotch Tape and Post-It Notes.*
AstraZeneca (AZN),3M (MMM)

MedImmune,Hopkins Sign Research Pact

An R&D company and a research university have joined forces in the quest for new treatments for a number of serious illnesses,such as cancer,rheumatoid arthritis and infectious diseases.MedImmune,the Gaithersburg,Maryland biotech firm that is a subsidiary of pharma titan AstraZeneca,and Baltimore's The Johns Hopkins University signed the five year,6.5 million dollar research agreement on 11 December.*
The broad-scale,long-term partnership calls for both institutions to contribute funding,personnel and materials to the joint efforts and training programs.We believe this significant collaboration with JHU will create a new standard in how academia and inustry can work together,said Dr.Bahija Jallal,executive vice president at MedImmune.Our partnership with this prestigious research university will leverage each organisation's strength;advance research in critical therapeutic areas;and strengthen Maryland's presence as a growing hub in the bioscience industry.*
We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with MedImmune researchers to accelerate the development of new therapies to treat a variety of serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis;rheumatoid arthritis;chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;and certain types of cancer,said Landon King,executive vice dean of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.We believe that by working together to leverage the strength of each organisation,we can make significant advances.*
MedImmune focuses on the discovery,development and commercialisation of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines,pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across its key therapeutic areas.It is best known for its vaccines FluMist and Synagis(R),which helps prevent respiratory syncytial virus infections in infants.*
AstraZeneca(AZN)

AstraZeneca Shops for Blockbuster Drug Replacements

British pharma titan AstraZeneca is attempting to solve its patent dilemma with cash.In late April,the company shelled out 1.26 billion dollars for San Diego biotech firm Ardea Biosciences.Ardea's main prospect is gout treatment Lesinurad.
According to AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan,this attractive Phase 3 program is an excellent opportunity to leverage Astra's global specialty and primary care sales and marketing capabilities.
Ardea is also developing combination treatments for pancreatic and liver cancer with Germany's Bayer AG,plus another gout drug in Phase 1 trials.
Astra is losing patent protection on many of its blockbuster products over the next few years.Billions in revenue will be lost as patents expire and generic competition cuts into sales of hypertension drug Atacand(2013);antipsychotic drug Seroquel and anti-cholesterol pill Crestor(2014);and gastroesophageal reflex disease pill Nexium in 2016.
This strategy was in place several years ago when Astra also acquired Gaithersburg,Maryland biotech firm MedImmune in 2007.
AstraZeneca(AZN),Ardea Biosciences(RDEA),Bayer AG(BAYRY)

MedImmune and Progenics Combat Deadly Bacteria

MedImmune,the biotech division of British pharma titan AstraZeneca,has signed an in-licensing agreement with Progenics Pharmaceuticals,Inc for Progenics' Clostridium difficile late stage preclinical program.Clostridium infections are the leading cause of hospital acquired infections in the US,resulting in 20,000 deaths and 1 billion dollars in health care costs annually.
Clostridium causes severe diarrhea and significantly lengthens hospital stays,leading to poorer outcomes.MedImmune will assess the efficacy and treatment of the disease with monoclonal antibodies that target toxins which mediate it.
MedImmune Senior Vice President and Infectious Disease iMed Head Steve Projan said the program fits strategically within our infectious disease portfolio and adds to our existing programs that aim to prevent and treat serious bacterial infections,particularly among high risk patients.Progenics CEO Mark R. Baker added that Progenics is pleased to have this potential candidate in MedImmune's hands,where it has the potential to improve human health.
About 500,000 cases of Clostridium are diagnosed in the US annually,mostly affecting hospital patients.Up to 28% of cases are community-acquired through contaminated soil,water,pets,cattle and foods.The bacteria not only damage the gut lining;but prevent the regrowth of normal,healthy bacteria in the gut as well. Progenics' antibodies are highly potent against most strains found in the US and Asia,and potent against hypervirulent strains,which are largely responsible for the disease's growth rate,preliminary findings suggest.
MedImmune,based in Gaithersburg,Maryland,employs about 3500 people worldwide.Progenics is a biotech firm located in Tarrytown,New York.
AstraZeneca(AZN),Progenics(PGNX)

MedImmune Joins Forces With Cancer Vaccine Collaborative

The structure of cancer research can be complex,even as the disease itself is.As a case in point,consider that MedImmune,the biotech division of British pharmaceutical titan AstraZeneca,has agreed to contribute three of its monoclonal antibodies to a research effort of the Cancer Vaccine Collaborative,or CVC.The CVC is in turn a project sponsored by a philanthropic organisation called the Cancer Research Institute and also by the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.The CVC is a network of clinical immunologists and oncologists with expertise in immunotherapy programs.
MedImmune's three antibodies will be incorporated into the CVC's portfolio of cutting edge clinical research and development,which utilises the expertise of its global network of clinicians and scientists to identify new immunotherapy combinations and launch clinical trials that help to bring the new treatments to cancer patients faster.
MedImmune's antibodies will be combined with other primary agents available to the CVC or accessed through additional partnerships to develop a more powerful generation of smarter immunotherapy drugs to better manage cancer patients' disease over the long term.Such combinations enable scientists to attack a particular cancer on multiple fronts,increasing the effectiveness of immune system response to cancer.
A monoclonal antibody is a protein produced from a single cell clone that can bind to substances such as tumor cells or other proteins,thus stimulating a person's immune system,modifying its regulatory checkpoints to make it more effective in responding to cancer.MedImmune intends to continue its research on these antibodies on an individual basis while the CVC combination studies proceed.
No financial terms of the joint effort with the CVC were revealed.
MedImmune employs about 3500 people worldwide.Its headquarters are in Gaithersburg,Maryland.
AstraZeneca(AZN)

MedImmune's Oncology Portfolio Advances

MedImmune,the biologics business of British pharma titan AstraZeneca,is perhaps best known for its FluMist product,but it is also quite active in oncology innovation.They are using insights and understanding of cancer to discover breakthrough biologic therapies that can be used to treat specific cancers for the individual patient,according to Jerry McMahon,PhD,Senior Vice President and Oncology Innovative Medicines Unit Leader.
MedImmune's pipeline is focused on eliminating cancer cells in more effective and targeted ways.They are currently researching their products MEDI-575,an antibody with promise in treatment of solid tumors;and the immunotoxin moxetamomab pasudotox(CAT 8015),which is being evaluated for therapeutic potential against certain leukemias.
These are early phase studies,but MedImmune is excited about the oncology portfolio's progress and looks forward to advancing oncology products into expanded clinical studies in the near future,Dr.McMahon indicated.
MedImmune,based in Gaithersburg,Maryland,employs about 3500 people worldwide.Jerry McMahon,who assumed his position in October,received a doctorate in Biochemistry and Genetics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy,New York.
AstraZeneca(AZN)

Science City Update

On May 4 in Montgomery County,Maryland,the County Council voted 9-0 to approve a master plan that supports the Johns Hopkins University science city project.Centered around farmland that Hopkins acquired below cost,the site is located off Shady Grove Road,west of I-270 in Gaithersburg,Maryland.It is hoped that about 52,000 jobs will be created by the development.
The university said the master plan demonstrates the best in smart-growth planning and provides the potential for high-paying bioscience and health care jobs,new mass transit,high-quality affordable housing,parks and other important amenities that will benefit the entire county.
Some residents and environmental groups continue to oppose the project even though it was scaled back in size and narrowed in scope.A nephew of the former landowner is also dissatisfied,saying the plan violates Hopkins' agreement with his aunt,who envisioned a smaller,"Jeffersonian" campus on the site.Tim Newell says he is moving toward filing a lawsuit against the university.Facing such opposition is a common ritual for developers of tracts of any size in the Mid-Atlantic region.