MUNICH, GERMANY and VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – June 14, 2016) – WILEX AG (ISIN DE000A11QVV0 / WL6 / FSE) and Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation, Vancouver, Canada (TSX VENTURE: APC) (FRANKFURT: 0E8) today announced that Heidelberg Pharma GmbH, Ladenburg, Germany, a subsidiary of Wilex AG, entered into a partnership with APC to create a new generation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
The companies will test combining APC’s proprietary site-specific protein modification technology and Heidelberg Pharma’s proprietary ATAC technology in order to generate a cancer therapeutic with enhanced characteristics that can also serve as a prototype for a new generation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
“We are delighted to work with APC on the next generation of cancer therapies using APC’s approach which might broaden the scope of coupling methods for our ATAC technology,” commented Andreas Pahl, CSO of WILEX AG and Heidelberg Pharma GmbH.
Allen Krantz, Founder and CEO of APC, added: “The application of our site-specific technology to Heidelberg Pharma’s novel payload has the potential to result in examples of more homogeneous and more effective ADCs than have been available to date, while giving rise to a new type of antibody-drug conjugate with substantial appeal to the industry.”
Demonstrable success in the milestone-driven research, using a combination of both technologies, provides a basis for the companies to work towards taking an eligible therapeutic product candidate into clinical studies.
Heidelberg Pharma’s aim and expertise is in making the compound Amanitin available as a new cancer therapy. Amanitin has a unique biological mode of action which could be used as the basis for developing highly effective, innovative drugs. Selective treatment of tumours using cytotoxic payloads like Amanitin via specific antibody-drug conjugates could enable much more effective treatment than existing drugs. Heidelberg Pharma is building a pipeline of ATAC product development candidates alone or with partners.
About WILEX and Heidelberg Pharma
WILEX AG is a biopharmaceutical company acting as a holding company and Group parent. Research and development focus on the operations of its subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma GmbH in Ladenburg, which primarily advances the development of the innovative platform technology for antibody-drug conjugates based on the use of Amanitin as a payload (ATAC technology) and provides pre-clinical drug discovery and development services. WILEX has a couple of diagnostic and therapeutic drug candidates which are available for out-licensing for external partners. WILEX is listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange: ISIN DE000A11QVV0 / WKN A11QVV / Symbol WL6. More information is available at www.wilex.com
About APC
Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation (APC) is advancing a Site-Specific Protein Modification technology platform to enable the development of superior protein therapeutics. Using this technology, APC has generated numerous and diverse modifications of annexin proteins with superior binding and stability properties which are amenable to further labeling and conjugation for use in therapeutic applications. APC is now vigorously applying its technologies to achieve the site-specific labeling of therapeutic antibodies and provide the next generation of antibody-drug conjugates. More information: www.advancedproteome.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This communication contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the companies’ businesses, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “estimates”, “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “future”, “potential” or similar expressions or by a general discussion of the companies’ strategies, plans or intentions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results of operations, financial position, earnings, achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, earnings or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors and partners are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
Company Contact
WILEX AG
Sylvia Wimmer
Tel.: +49 (0)89-41 31 38-29
Email: investors[at]wilex.com
Grillparzerstr. 18, 81675 Munich, Germany
MC Services (IR/PR support)
Katja Arnold (CIRO)
Tel.: +49-89-210 228-40
Email: katja.arnold[at]mc-services.eu
Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation
Alexander (Allen) Krantz
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (617) 638-0340
Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation
Scott Young
Investor Relations
Tel: (705) 888-2756
Heidelberg Pharma GmbH
Business Development
Dr. Marcel Linssen
CBO, Executive Vice President
Tel.: +49-(0) 6203 1009-40
Email: m.linssen[at]hdpharma.com
