ThromboGenics and BioInvent awarded grant for antiangiogenesis programme

Belgian biotechnology company ThromboGenics and Swedish research-based BioInventInternational have received a Euro 2m grant from the EU for the joint development of a new class of antiangiogenesis agents based on antibodies against Placental Growth Factor (PlGF).

The grant will support the research efforts initiated by ThromboGenics and BioInvent in 2004 as part of a strategic collaboration. The funded research will be conducted within the ANGIOSTOP consortium that will also comprise four expert academic groups from Belgium, Germany and the UK: University of Leuven (VIB Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, and Department of Hepatology and Gastroentrology), University Medicine Berlin and Cardiff University.

The financial support from EU's Framework Programme 6 will contribute over the next two years to the further development of the antibody-based product candidate TB-403 for treatment of tumours, inflammation and eye disease. TB-403 has shown good inhibition of PlGF-associated angiogenesis and tumour growth in preclinical models. The first stages in the toxicology programme for this product candidate have already started.

The PlGF growth factor is secreted by tumours and is specifically expressed in cancer and chronic inflammatory conditions. It affects the formation of new blood vessels in tissues that are under stress. PlGF does not seem to affect normal, physiological angiogenesis, unlike other treatments already on the market. Therefore, the inhibition of PlGF is expected to have fewer side effects than existing anti-VEGF agents, but will still have the desired effect on various diseases.

'Our preclinical studies to date have shown that the inhibition of PlGF provides benefits that could alter the landscape of antiangiogenic therapy,' said Professor Desire Collen, ceo and chairman of ThromboGenics.

Another joint programme under the ThromboGenics and BioInvent collaboration focuses on the development of anti-Factor VIII monoclonal antibody as a novel anticoagulant therapy. An application to begin Phase I clinical studies is submitted in Denmark. This study of anti-Factor VIII antibody TB-402 is expected to start early next year.