Press Release:
Cytochroma
Inc. and aOvaTechnologies, Inc., Sign License Agreement.
Markham,
ON, January 8, 2007
Cytochroma Inc. and aOvaTechnologies,
Inc. (aOvaTech) announced today that the companies have entered
into a license and supply agreement to co-develop and commercialize
products directed at treating and preventing hyperphosphatemia
in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Under the terms
of the agreement, Cytochroma gains exclusive worldwide rights
to develop and commercialize aOvaTech’s
proprietary technology for use in human healthcare. aOvaTech
will receive an up front license fee and royalties on the sale
of products covered by the license. aOvaTech will also supply
Cytochroma with material for development and commercialization.
“A primary goal in the management
of patients with CKD is to maintain the serum phosphorus
level within normal limits. Despite nearly four decades of
experience with phosphorus management strategies in these
patients, phosphorus control remains elusive,” said
Keith Crawford, Vice President of Strategic Planning at Cytochroma. “The
aim of this partnership between Cytochroma and aOvaTech is
to simplify and improve the treatment regimen for CKD patients
who struggle with phosphorus control.”
“We are pleased to be working with
innovators of a platform of protected technologies based
on novel uses of antibodies,” said
Mr. Crawford. “We will be able to rapidly advance the
development of these new products by combining aOvaTech’s
expertise in nutritional regulation of immune function with
our understanding of the molecular physiology underlying these
novel products,” added Mr. Crawford.
Careful management
of hyperphosphatemia in CKD is essential in preventing hyperparathyroidism
and metastatic calcification, including calcification of cardiovascular
tissues. Hyperphosphatemia is normally managed by a combination
of dietary controls and the use of phosphate-binding agents.
However, these approaches can be challenging because of poor
patient compliance with low-phosphorus diets as well as the
limited efficacy of currently available treatments.
Despite
the availability of new phosphorus-binding agents, it remains
a challenge for many ESRD patients to maintain their serum
phosphorus levels within targeted ranges. According to the
K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for
Bone Metabolism and Disease, Guideline 3, Evaluation of Serum
Phosphorus Levels, fewer than 30 percent of dialysis patients are able to maintain
serum phosphorus levels in the target ranges.
“This collaboration represents a
unique opportunity for both companies to combine their respective
strengths and expertise in this exciting area of research
in a way that is mutually beneficial and provides a promising
new treatment option for CKD patients,” commented Eric Messner, Vice
President of Commercial Operations at Cytochroma.
“aOva’s proprietary technology
has significant potential in the CKD market. We are excited
and pleased to work with Cytochroma to apply this technology
to an important and growing area of human healthcare,” said Bryan Renk,
President, CEO, and Director of aOva.
About Cytochroma Inc.
Cytochroma Inc. is an integrated specialty pharmaceutical company
engaged in the development and commercialization of proprietary
products to treat and prevent the clinical consequences of
diseases and disorders related to vitamin D deficiency. The
company has an advanced portfolio of new products targeting
vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in
patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease and
end-stage renal disease. In addition, the company is developing
novel vitamin D therapies to treat hyperproliferative disorders
such as cancer and psoriasis. Cytochroma is a privately held
company with offices in Markham, Ontario and Madison, Wisconsin.
About aOvaTechnologies, Inc.
aOvaTechnologies,
Inc. is a Wisconsin biotechnology company organized in 2001
for the purpose of commercializing the company’s proprietary
technologies and products to offer the producer and feed nutritionist
a new strategy in animal nutrition. aOvaTech's egg powder product
is a naturally produced dietary additive that results in greater
nutritional performance for growing animals. The company has
developed scalable production and manufacturing processes which
allowed market entry into the U.S. swine industry in 2005.
aOvaTech is a privately held company with offices in Madison,
Wisconsin. For more information, please visit the company’s
website at www.aovatech.com
For information
contact:
Eric J. Messner
Vice President
Commercial
Operations
905-479-5306 ext.
338
eric.messner@cytochroma.com
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