Antibody collaboration for EvoGenix and Vegenics

EvoGenix will apply its proprietary technologies for antibody humanisation and optimisation to assist Vegenics in developing an antibody therapeutic product targeting VEGF-D. The collaboration is designed to generate an antibody that can safely enter trials in patients.

Vegenics has developed a patent portfolio covering drugs directed against VEGF-D, which may prove to be an important target for treating certain forms of cancer. Vegenics will have the right to commercialise the product developed as a result of the collaboration.

VEGF-D is a mediator in the formation of new blood vessels which are required to provide the nutrients for tumour growth. It is a member of the same protein family that is targeted by Avastin, an anti-cancer antibody marketed by US company Genentech. Avastin has been a highly successful product since its first approval in 2004, achieving sales in 2006 of US$1.85 billion.

The EvoGenix technology involves 'superhumanisation', which converts a mouse antibody into a human-like antibody which can be safely administered to patients without risk of rejection of the treatment.

Vegenics is an Australian company jointly founded and owned by Circadian Technologies, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Licentia, the commercial arm of the University of Helsinki. Vegenics is developing a pipeline of therapeutics based on antibody and peptide antagonists to VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The VEGF technology, developed by Ludwig and Licentia scientists in Australia and Finland, has been exclusively licensed to Vegenics.