Lonza announced an exclusive contract for the production of Immune Pharmaceutical’s human immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody, Bertilimumab, under investigation for the potential treatment of several inflammatory disorders. Under the agreement, Lonza will produce phase II clinical trial material at its mammalian development and manufacturing facility.
We are excited about this opportunity to support Immune Pharmaceutical’s growing pipeline”, said Dr Stephan Kutzer, COO Lonza Custom Manufacturing. “This partnership is a direct reflection of our commitment to emerging pharmaceutical companies as they advance through clinical phase milestones.”
Bertilimumab has great potential for the treatment of eosinophilic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) –Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis- and Eosinophilic Gastro-Intestinal Diseases (EGID). Bertilimumab is the first monoclonal antibody to specifically neutralize human eotaxin-1, a chemokine associated with inflammatory disease activity.
Dr Daniel Teper, CEO of Immune said, “Lonza understands the needs of emerging companies, providing assistance and flexibility, while maintaining the highest standards essential for regulatory compliance and successful partnering“. IMMUNE strengthened its internal bio-manufacturing expertise by appointing to its board of directors, Dr David Naveh, formerly the chief technical officer of Bayer Biologics Worldwide.
Bertilimumab (also known as iCo-008 or CAT-213) is a human immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody targeting eotaxin-1, a member of the chemokine family of proteins that act as messenger molecules between the cells of the immune system. It has been in 126 patients in phase I and II studies, has a good safety profile and has shown evidence of efficacy in a severe allergy indication. Bertilimumab may be indicated for inflammatory disorders including Severe Asthma, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) as well as ophthalmic indications (wet age related macular degeneration, vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis).
Immune licensed worldwide rights for systemic indications from iCo Therapeutics in June 2011, while iCo is retaining the ophthalmic indications. iCo originally licensed the exclusive world-wide rights to Bertilimumab in 2006 from MedImmune Limited (formerly known as Cambridge Antibody Technology Limited), the Global Biologics Unit of AstraZeneca.
Immune Pharmaceuticals is an biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of next generation monoclonal antibodies addressing significant unmet medical needs in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture.