PHARMA/BIO-TECH UPDATE – Collaboration Targets New Treatment for Hemophilia A

German pharmaceutical company Biotest AG and American biotechnology firm EpiVax have announced a Collaborative Research Agreement to develop a “novel, non-immunogenic Factor VIII (FVIII)” according to a press release obtained by webleed this morning.

“The coagulation factor VIII used for Hemophilia therapy will be altered in such a way that the immune system of the patients may not respond by developing inhibitory antibodies.”

The formation of inhibitors reduces the effectiveness of a drug and may lead to severe bleeding episodes.

A tolerized and de-immunized FVIII would allow patients with Hemophilia A to experience the positives of therapeutic FVIII treatment without the risk of developing an inhibitor by not allowing a negative reaction of the immune system (no immunocenicity).  Biotest aims to suppress immunogenicity through integration the FVIII treatment with EpiVax’ proprietary “Tregitope“, and immune-modulating technology.

“This is an entirely novel approach to improving factor VIII therapy. In addition, a whole range of other biologics such as toxins and monoclonal
antibodies might also benefit from the same approach.” said Anne De Groot, M.D., President and CEO of EpiVax. ‘The development of ‘inhibitors’ is a
life-threatening complication with a profound impact on patients’ lives.  We want to make it possible to avoid the most serious side effect of today’s
hemophilia treatment.-‘ added Jörg Schüttrumpf, M.D., Senior Vice President of Global Research at Biotest.