MC Services AG
Germany Leads Europe in the Fight Against Cancer
MC Services AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Press Release Germany Leads Europe in the Fight Against Cancer – Germany has largest national biotechnology sector focused on cancer in Europe – Germany has the greatest number of cancer development programmes in Europe – Germany has raised 23% of total European funds for companies with cancer programmes Berlin, Germany: 2nd February 2012: German Science Day (GSD) – Fight Cancer!, announces facts on the German biotechnology cancer research and drug development sector. Since 2000, European biotechnology companies with a focus on cancer have raised over $10.5 billion in both venture capital and public funds. In comparison, German cancer focused biotechnology companies have raised just over $2.4 billion, 23% of the total for all European companies with cancer programmes. In this study, the GSD team looked at the nine countries with the largest cancer focused biotech sectors – Austria; Denmark; France; Germany: Italy; Norway; Sweden; Switzerland; and the UK (Nine European Majors). Since 2000 to January 21st 2012, these countries have raised a total $10 billion, meaning that Germany has raised 24% of these funds. In terms of cancer drug development in the Nine European Majors, there are 109 companies of which Germany boasts 29, representing 27% of companies running biotechnology cancer programmes. Companies and Development Programmes per Country
Source: BioCentury Publications Inc & the GSD team These German companies are running 23% of all biotechnology cancer product trials in clinical development, representing 58 development programmes out of a total 256 programmes throughout the Nine European Majors. Germany has the largest biotechnology sector focused on cancer in Europe. The mean situation In mean averages, German cancer focused biotechnology companies have raised $84 million per company since 2000, while companies in the other Nine European Majors raised an average of $95.2 million each, in the same period. In terms of programmes in development, German companies have raised a mean average of $42 million per program, while the other eight European countries have raised $38.5 million per program. The slightly higher mean average raised in Germany is explained by the advanced stage of the drug development programmes. Germany is running 28% of the Phase II clinical programmes and 21% of the Phase III clinical programmes, out of the Nine European Majors. The leading position of Germany looks very strong for the next five years, at least, providing fantastic opportunities for scientists, doctors, patients and investors, not to mention the German GDP and potential tax returns to the Federal Republic. Moreover, Germany's clinical pipeline certainly addresses important areas of high medical need with novel approaches and not simply copying current treatment options.
German Cancer Therapy Milestones Aplenty for 2012 – 2012: over 10 German companies are expected to report on clinical and regulatory events Berlin, Germany: 2nd February 2012: German Science Day (GSD) – Fight Cancer!, announces facts on the German biotechnology cancer research and drug development sector. Over ten, public and private, German companies with cancer compounds in the clinic are expected to announce clinical milestone events in 2012. Alongside these, at least three companies are expecting to begin cancer trials in Phase I, Phase II and Phase II/III cancer treatments. To date, four further companies are expected to report clinical data by the end of 2013. During this quarter, Apogenix AG is expected to announce final Phase II trial results of APG101, a soluble CD95-Fc fusion protein targeting CD95L, to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The trial completed enrolment of 83 patients in September 2011. Later in 2012, WILEX AG anticipates reporting MESUPRON(R) Phase II trial data in HER2-negative, metastatic breast cancer patients. WILEX is also expected to deliver Phase III trial results on RENCAREX(R) to treat clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC). In Phase III trials, Agennix AG is expected to report in the first half 2012, on Talactoferrin, a recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) to treat refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Also, it is anticipated later this year the company will report on the Phase II/III trials of Talactoferrin in sepsis. Among the other presenting companies of the German Science Day several are expected to announce clinical milestones and updates in 2012: Antisense Pharma GmbH; MorphoSys AG; Silence Therapeutics AG; Agennix AG; MOLOGEN AG; and 4SC AG. In January 4SC AG (FSE:VSC), was handsomely rewarded by investors after the company reported that resminostat, an oral HDAC inhibitor, met its primary endpoint in a Phase II SHELTER trial treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Currently, there is no therapy approved for this patient population. The company's shares jumped 48% to EUR2.09 on the week ending 20th January 2012. In January also, Immatics biotechnologies GmbH, announced positive Phase II results of IMA901, a novel therapeutic vaccine containing 13 tumour-associated peptides (TUMAPs), to treat advanced colorectal cell carcinoma (CRC). Data from the study confirmed that IMA910 is able to stimulate relevant immune responses against the TUMAPS in IMA910 in the majority of patients vaccinated. Previously in 2011, Immatics had reported positive Phase II trial results with IMA910 in 61 evaluable patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Germany Leads Europe with Cancer Fighting Antibody Products in Clinical Development – German companies are running 43% of the antibody-based clinical cancer programmes in Europe Berlin, Germany: 2nd February 2012: German Science Day (GSD) – FightCancer!, announces facts on the German biotechnology cancer research and drug development sector. German biotech companies represent about 47% of the companies in Europe with antibody-based cancer products in clinical development. The study also highlighted that these German companies are running about 43% of the clinical trials in different antibody-based compounds. In this study, the GSD team looked at the nine countries with the largest cancer focused biotech sectors with companies developing cancer products: Austria; Denmark; France; Germany: Italy; Norway; Sweden; Switzerland; and the UK. The most advanced German companies include: Apogenix AG; Affimed Therapeutics AG; Biotest AG; Trion Pharma GmbH; Glycotope GmbH; MorphoSys AG and WILEX AG. Specific indications covered by these German products range through: Multiple myeloma (MM); gastric cancer; ovarian cancer; breast cancer; B cell lymphoma; oesophageal cancer; and unspecified solid tumours. The majority of these companies will seek partnerships at the proof of concept stage to share the risk and reward of further development and potential marketing approvals throughout the world. For further information: MC Services AG Schubertstr. 10 D-80336 München
About the German Science Day The inaugural German Science Day takes place on February 2nd 2012 in Berlin. The event provides a comprehensive insight into new therapeutic approaches in cancer and presents the current state of development of promising, innovative drug candidates. Additionally, the day will look at the many upcoming clinical events in Germany during 2012. End of Corporate News 02.02.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de |
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