Eisai Co. Ltd. announced that its US subsidiary Morphotek, Inc. has acquired certain assets relating to a proprietary tumour targeting platform from TransMolecular, Inc. a biotechnology company headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Through use of the Tumour Targeting Peptide (TTP) platform, it is possible to deliver active TTP conjugates directly to tumour cells via systemic administration of radionucleotides, chemotoxins, nanoparticles and optical dyes, which enables optical imaging to confirm therapeutic effects. This transaction provides Eisai exclusive ownership of the TTP technology for therapeutic and diagnostic use across a broad spectrum of cancers and other human diseases.
The TTP technology platform has been validated in multiple preclinical and human clinical trials that have demonstrated the ability to get tumour specific delivery of conjugated TTP to tumours of the periphery and the central nervous system via penetration across the blood brain barrier. The technology is also capable of being combined with a number of proprietary cytotoxic/cytostatic entities that have already been tested for safety and efficacy as TTP conjugates in preclinical. TMI's TTP is a peptide that was originally derived from scorpion venom during screening to identify potential new anti-cancer agents. The peptide binds and internalizes into cells via the annexin A2 complex, which is mainly present on the cell surface, thereby suppressing the growth of activated epithelial cells. As annexin A2 is often over-expressed on malignant cell surface compared to normal cell, studies have found the peptide to provide tumour-specificity.
Eisai is committed to pursuing access to new cutting-edge technologies that will enable the company to support its future pipeline objectives as it strives to develop highly innovative medicines. The acquisition of the TMI tumour targeting platform is yet another important step in enabling the development of disease-specific compounds that can target disease cells and/or treat the underlying cause of a targeted disease.
Eisai's commitment to meaningful progress in oncology research, built on scientific expertise, is supported by a global capability to conduct discovery and preclinical research, and develop small molecules, biologic and supportive care agents for cancer across multiple indications. Through these efforts, Eisai will make further contributions to addressing the diversified needs of and increasing the benefits provided to patients and their families as well as healthcare professionals as it seeks to fulfill its human health care (hhc) mission.
TransMolecular, Inc. is a US-based bio-venture committed to discovering, developing and commercializing products for the diagnosis and treatment of glioma, metastatic brain tumours, and other cancers. Its product pipeline is based on the therapeutically active TM601, a novel polypeptide with tumour-targeting and anti-angiogenic effects derived from scorpion venom.
Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of protein and antibody products through the use of a novel and proprietary gene evolution technology. Its currently focusing its platform on the development and manufacturing of proteins for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and infectious disease.