RECEPTA biopharma will develop new therapies for cancer treatment
The Brazilian biotechnology company RECEPTA biopharma, established by way of a partnership with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, is setting up a network involving research institutions including the Butantan Institute
Sao Paulo, 14th June 2007 - RECEPTA biopharma - specializing in the research and development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer - and the Butantan Institute, a Center of Excellence in research, development and the production of medicines - today inaugurated a new and unparalleled laboratory, namely the Monoclonal Antibody Laboratory. The work to be developed at the new laboratory is unprecedented in Brazil and has as its objective the domination of the technology for the generation of cellular lineages of monoclonal antibodies for commercial production.
The building of this laboratory is part of a Butantan Institute project to the total value of R$ 8 million, supported by the RECEPTA biopharma company and by FINEP (The Financier of Studies and Projects), with resources coming from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and the Ministry of Health. This project also includes the realization of immunohistochemistry tests - analyses used to know which antigen is expressed by a determined tumor with the finality of developing antibodies specific to the antigens - at the Medical Faculty of USP (University of Sao Paulo), as well as the conducting of Phase II clinical trials (on patients).
The founding and implantation of RECEPTA biopharma was led by professor Jose Fernando Perez, the company's Director President, a physicist who was for almost twelve years the Scientific Director at FAPESP (the Sao Paulo State Research Foundation). Dr. Perez identified the competences necessary for the project's realization, conceived and structured the network of partnership institutions and attracted investors for the innovative partnership with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer research (LICR). During its first two years of operation, RECEPTA biopharma invested around R$ 3 million and over the next five years the forecast investment is some R$ 30 million.
RECEPTA biopharma was also one of the companies contemplated during the first economic subvention program for technological innovation set up by the MST for a project that includes the identification of new therapeutic targets and the generation of new monoclonal antibodies, research to be developed in conjunction with the LICR's Sao Paulo branch.
"The RECEPTA biopharma project responds to strategic interests of the country's health system and fits into two priorities of the federal government's Industrial, Technological and Foreign Commerce Policy (PITCE)", underlined Dr. Perez. He added that "our partnerships model recognizes the excellence of the country's research institutions, today under used. And it is also important to emphasize that the Ludwig Institute for Cancer research is much more than just a simple company partner, since it contributes directly with its competence from its entire global network of scientists who are going to collaborate with the researchers associated to RECEPTA biopharma".
For Dr. Andrew Simpson, the global director at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in New York, "RECEPTA biopharma is beginning its work in a country which is considered as one of the most promising for the development of new therapies to combat cancer. There are interesting opportunities for clinical research in Brazil, since the country has talented researchers, both on the clinical side and in the laboratory, and has patients who require new treatment options. As well as this, we have considerable confidence in the clinical practices, which observe the highest standards of ethics in patient care".
CANCER TREATMENT
LICR licensed to RECEPTA biopharma the exclusive and worldwide intellectual property rights of four monoclonal antibodies: hu3S193 - Anti-LeY; 58-1066 - Anti-LeB; MX35 and A34 (209-342). Monoclonal antibodies are proteins used by the immune system to identify and neutralize bacteria, viruses or tumor cells. The antibody recognizes a specific target, the antigen, which is present in the foreign cells.
The antibodies discovered and developed by LICR have demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity against various tumor types, especially those of epithelial origin (carcinomas and adenocarcinomas). One example, the monoclonal antibody hu3S193 - Anti-LeY, will be tested this year by RECEPTA biopharma in a Phase II clinical trial in patients with ovarian cancer. This will be the first Phase II oncology clinical trial conducted by a Brazilian company.
"Monoclonal antibodies are characterized as directed therapy, primarily affecting only the tumor cells that express the specific antigen of each antibody. For this reason, the side effects are more tolerable to the organism. In addition to this, monoclonal antibodies could be used in combination with chemotherapy," informed Dr. Perez.
The differential in RECEPTA biopharma's business model is in working in partnership with scientific institutions, hospitals and diverse researchers, formulating a wide network of collaboration. For pre-clinical tests, RECEPTA biopharma is associated with the Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnology Faculty of USP. For the conduct of clinical trials, the Company works in partnership with: Sirio-Libanes Hospital; Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital; Clinical Hospital of USP's Medical Faculty; Brazilian Institute for Cancer Control (IBCC); Clinical Hospital of the UFMG's Medical Faculty (Federal University of Minas Gerais); Baleia Hospital in Belo Horizonte and the National Cancer Institute, located in Rio de Janeiro.
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