VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – July 18, 2016) – Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation (“APC” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE: APC) (FRANKFURT: 0E8) announces plans bearing on its site-specific protein modification technology as it applies to therapeutic antibodies.
The high demand for site-specific labeling technologies and potential for deal-making in the field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) that has emerged during APC’s recent business development activities, particularly as it applies to anti-cancer therapeutics, has prompted the formulation of an aggressive strategic plan and a clear definition of the path forward to achieve the Company’s commercial goals.
Antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs are an important class of highly potent biopharmaceutical drugs designed as a targeted therapy for the treatment of people with cancer. By combining the unique targeting capabilities of monoclonal antibodies with the cancer-killing ability of cytotoxic drugs, antibody-drug conjugates allow sensitive discrimination between healthy and diseased tissue and provide a basis for avoiding the morbidity and toxicities associated with traditional chemotherapy. The Company is advancing a technology platform featuring a universal antibody linker™ designed to attach virtually any payload (e.g. drug or toxin), site specifically, to any IgG1 antibody to produce antibody-drug conjugates. APC has filed three patent applications disclosing multiple approaches to site-specifically labeling antibodies and has designed an analytical protocol, filling an unmet need, intended to distinguish between site-specific and non-specific labeling. Several proprietary molecules targeting key antibody sites have been prepared by APC scientists and are currently being advanced in testing.
APC is focusing on enabling technology, designed to link antibodies to drugs or toxins to produce pure and homogeneous antibody-drug conjugates. The field of antibody-drug conjugates affords numerous opportunities for improving the properties of therapeutic antibodies, but reliable methods for site-specifically attaching drugs or toxins to antibodies to give ADCs of high purity are needed to avoid the heterogeneity that currently limits applications of ADCs. Immense growth is expected for the therapeutic antibody market which is estimated to reach nearly $125 Billion USD by the year 2020 (The therapeutic monoclonal antibody market: Ecker et al. MAbs 2015, Volume 7, ppgs 9-14.). The number of therapeutic antibodies and the companies producing them are legion, and growing, but comparatively few companies have capabilities for chemical modification of such antibodies.
In light of these circumstances, APC has embarked upon a plan involving collaborations to advance the Company on three fronts. First, the Company is involved in discussions with premier research institutions to apply capabilities and resources that can elevate the Company’s technology and provide even greater appeal to partners and investors. Second, the Company is engaged in joint efforts with other biotechnology companies (e.g. Company news release, June 14, 2016) to produce novel, proprietary ADC products and increase the odds for commercial success. Third, in conjunction with expanding its annexin and antibody projects, APC is pursuing funding in the form of grants to cover collaborative R&D in public/private partnerships.
These activities are being coordinated with business development initiatives and investor relations to build a more responsive and effective organization.
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 Company’s business, 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 Company’s 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Advanced Proteome Therapeutics Corporation
Alexander (Allen) Krantz
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (617) 638-0340
http://www.advancedproteome.com
Scott Young
Investor Relations
Tel: (705) 888-2756