Pinnacle Biologics, Inc., a privately held specialty bio-pharmaceutical company announced the global acquisition of Photofrin and Photobarr from Axcan Pharma, Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed.

A novel therapeutic technique, Photofrin is approved for the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and esophageal cancer. The product is available in the USA, Canada, several major European countries and Japan as well as several Latin American and Southeast Asian markets. Additional approved indications for Photofrin in North America are High Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) and papillary bladder cancer in Canada and Argentina.

Photobarr is approved only in the European Union under orphan drug status for HGD in BE.

“We are very excited about this important acquisition and unique technology,” said Guillermo Herrera, executive chairman of Pinnacle Biologics. “Presently, the two primary indications for Photo-Dynamic Therapy (PDT) are NSCLC and esophageal cancer. Pinnacle is committed to developing these products in additional indications where preliminary clinical data show superior efficacy and outstanding survival rates compared to current therapeutic options. There are a number of underserved areas with unmet medical needs. In these areas, PDT has the potential to become a standard of care. Pinnacle is committed to developing and commercializing the assets globally.”

According to Patrick Ross, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery at Ohio State University Medical Centre, “PDT is used for the management of a wide spectrum of clinical problems. Although initially proposed as a palliative tool in the management of end-stage esophageal or bronchogenic carcinoma, it has emerged as a modality which can effectively treat early as well as advanced endoluminal tumours. PDT has been incorporated into all aspects of our practice, including palliation, induction therapy, and definitive intervention for early-stage cancers of the aero-digestive tract. We have been pleased by our experience and are excited about the future impact Photo-Dynamic Therapy will have on therapeutic options for our cancer patients.”

The products are activated by a laser light. This targeted therapeutic combination of Photofrin/Photobarr and the laser is known as Photo-Dynamic Therapy. When injected, Photofrin/Photobarr are attracted to and linger in certain tissues, especially cancer cells. In addition to directly killing cancer cells, PDT appears to damage blood vessels in tumours causing them to shrink, and may activate the immune system to promote a systemic response to cancer cells. The laser uses red light to activate the drug, tumor destruction is by biochemical reaction, not by heat, keeping damage to healthy tissues minimal.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women. There are more than 200,000 patients with lung cancer each year. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer. There are several types of NSCLC including adeno-carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. All can be treated with PDT at any stage.

Esophageal Cancer (EC) forms in tissues lining the esophagus (the muscular tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach). There are two types of EC: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Both types of cancer can be treated with PDT. It is difficult to determine specific causes of EC. People with certain risk factors, however, are more likely to develop esophageal cancer.

Pinnacle Biologics specializes in revitalizing healthcare therapies to fulfill their true potential and to maximize favourable patient outcomes. This is accomplished through licensing and acquisition of specialty pharmaceuticals and medical devices.