Lund, Sweden, October 2, 2007. Active Biotech AB (OMX Nordic:ACTI) today informs that MediGene AG (Frankfurt, Prime Standard: MDG) has been granted a US patent that covers the candidate drug RhuDex®. Patent no. 7,276,505 protects the substance RhuDex® (and related small molecules) and its pharmaceutical compositions. This pivotal patent adds to MediGene's growing patent portfolio on related chemical compounds that support the mode of action of RhuDex®. MediGene is developing RhuDex® as a drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and is currently testing the drug in patients in a clinical phase IIa pilot trial.
Active Biotech AB (publ)
Sven Andréasson
President and CEO
Active Biotech AB
P.O. Box 724, SE-220 07 Lund, Sweden
Tel: +46 (0)46-19 20 00
Fax: +46 (0)46-19 20 50
About RhuDex®
RhuDex® is a novel, orally available substance for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, originating from Active Biotech's patented CD80 antagonists, out-licensed to MediGene AG. RhuDex® is being developed as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). As the first orally administered DMARD that blocks T cell co-stimulation, RhuDex® is expected to offer a clear competitive advantage. This is because RhuDex® inhibits the underlying disease process by specifically blocking CD80-activation of inflammatory T cells, and inhibiting the release of cytokines such as TNF.
RhuDex® will be positioned to compete head-to-head with the biological DMARDS. These DMARDS are driving the growth of the RA market, but they are injectables. As an orally available compound, MediGene estimates that RhuDex® could capture a significant market share and estimate the annual peak sales potential of RhuDex® at more than 1 billion Euros.
About Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic disease of the connective tissue which affects more than 1 % of the world population. It mainly attacks the joints and leads to deformities and loss of function over time.
About Active Biotech
Active Biotech AB (OMX Nordic:ACTI) is a biotechnology company focusing on research and development of pharmaceuticals. Active Biotech has a strong R&D portfolio with pipeline products focused on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer. Most advanced projects are laquinimod, an orally administered small molecule with unique immuno-modulatory properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as ANYARA for use in cancer targeted therapy, primarily renal cancer. Further key projects in clinical development comprise the three orally administered compounds TASQ for prostate cancer, 57-57 for SLE and RhuDex® for RA. In addition, the autoimmunity project I-3D is in preclinical development.
About MediGene
MediGene AG is a publicly quoted (Frankfurt: Prime Standard: MDG) biotechnology company located in Martinsried/Munich, Germany, with subsidiaries in Oxford, UK and San Diego, USA. MediGene is the first German biotech company with a drug on the market. Another drug obtained marketing authorization for the USA, one drug candidate is currently undergoing the European approval procedures. Furthermore, MediGene has several drug candidates for the treatment of various types of cancer and autoimmune diseases in clinical development, and possesses innovative platform technologies for drug development. For further information and the complete version of today's press release, please visit www.medigene.com.
