Athera Transfers Annexin A5 Project To Medirista

Athera Biotechnologies has transferred the rights to the recombinant Annexin A5 to Medirista. The transfer consists of the whole patent portfolio together with key preclinical assets.

Annexin A5, a recombinant protein product to prevent inflammation and new thrombosis, has been developed to preclinical stage by Athera, a Karolinska Development portfolio company. It was originally developed at Athera by Johan Frostegård, M.D., Ph.D., and Anna Frostegård, M.D., Ph.D., the owners of Medirista.

Annexin A5 has been shown to improve remodelling in a preclinical model of coronary bypass grafting. Another study showed that low doses of Annexin A5 could prevent injury in a model mimicking catheter-based percutaneous interventions (PCI) in mice.

The transfer accomplished, Athera will continue to work on other products that treat acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These include PC-mAb, a monoclonal antibody product to prevent secondary cardiovascular events, and CVDefine, a biomarker and companion diagnostic. In June 2013, Athera reported that it was part of a research consortium that had been awarded a €6 million ($8 million) research grant from the European Union toward preclinical development of PC-mAb. The fully human monoclonal antibody is being developed for patients with increased risk of atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events and death, including myocardial infarction patients and patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing vein graft surgery.

This article was reprinted from Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) with permission from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN) has retained its position as the number one biotech publisher around the globe since its launch in 1981. GEN publishes a print edition 21 times a year and has additional exclusive editorial content online, like news and analysis as well as blogs, podcasts, webinars, polls, videos, and application notes. GEN's unique news and technology focus includes the entire bioproduct life cycle from early-stage R&D, to applied research including omics, biomarkers, as well as diagnostics, to bioprocessing and commercialization.