Oncology and immunology focus for MediGene

German biotech company MediGene is to focus its r&d and planned sales and marketing activities exclusively on the two areas of oncology and immunology.

For its dermatological products, MediGene intends to conclude further partnerships, but no more sales activities of its own. In the field of r&d, MediGene will focus primarily on its major projects EndoTAG-1 and RhuDex. Some projects such as the mTCR and HSV programmes will be spun off or discontinued.

MediGene intends to retain the marketing rights to EndoTAG-1 for specific geographical markets when licensing the product, and to participate in the further development of the drug. MediGene expects these measures to have a positive effect on the company's future business results.

"The excellent EndoTAG data obtained in the clinical phase II have opened up completely new opportunities to us," said Dr Peter Heinrich, ceo of MediGene AG.

"We are now in a very strong position for negotiations with potential partners in such a way that we will be able to continue participating in both the tremendous potential of this cancer drug, and the underlying technology. At the same time we have received interesting offers for our dermatological products, which will enable us to focus on our core competences cancer and immune diseases."

This will involve reallocation and cost savings that will increase the financial flexibility of our company. Through this strategic focus we will gain a clear-cut profile: MediGene develops drugs against cancer and immune diseases. Our planned medium-term sales activities will centre around these areas. Furthermore, the cost reduction achieved by this focusing will enable us to push forward our key development projects, simultaneously reducing our company's capital requirements.