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November 9, 2004
AnGes MG Joins Hands with ImmunoFrontier
-- Transfer of Patent Rights for Cancer DNA Vaccine -- |
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AnGes MG, Inc. officially announces the transfer of the patent rights for a cancer DNA vaccine to ImmunoFrontier, Inc.
In return AnGes MG obtains the right to receive royalty payments on the basis of the value of the cancer DNA vaccine after its market release. AnGes MG will provide support to ImmunoFrontier, including its proprietary know-how and technologies that it has developed and accumulated to date in the field of genetic medicines, by building a firm alliance with ImmunoFrontier for the success of its cancer DNA vaccine development project.
The term “cancer vaccination” refers to a treatment which utilizes the body’s own immune system. Substances such as proteins that serve as antigens are injected into the body and essentially used as markers for activating the immune cells known as cytotoxic T cell (CTC) in order to enhance the immunizing effect of breaking down and ultimately destroying the cancer cell.
In cancer DNA vaccination, instead of proteins, genes are injected into the body that will
continually produce the necessary protein antigens.
The cancer DNA vaccination in question involves simultaneous injection of genes to produce a multiple number of antigens. This produces a stronger immunizing effect against cancer cells than vaccination with a gene that produces only a single antigen. In other words, this vaccine has been designed for higher efficacy.
ImmunoFrontier, Inc. is a university spawned bio-venture company established on 5th October 2004 in order to commercialize the research outcomes of Prof. Hiroshi SHIKU (et al) of the School of Medicine at Mie University in Japan. Besides next-generation cancer vaccines such as the cancer DNA vaccine for which the rights have been acquired from AnGes MG, the company develops medicines to cure immunological disorders such as allergies and rheumatism.
For some time, AnGes MG has been engaged in developing genetic medicines and
examining the possibility of developing a new project based on its own DNA vaccine.
ImmunoFrontier was subsequently established with Tadashi HISHIDA (who, as one of the corporate auditors at AnGes MG, has extensive experience in the bio-medical development sector) as CEO, and with Prof. Hiroshi SHIKU of Mie University (inventor of the cancer DNA vaccine in question) as Advisor. Consequently, AnGes MG has opted to transfer the patent rights of the cancer DNA vaccine to ImmunoFrontier as AnGes MG has concluded that it is the best to place the company with its full and thorough understanding of the vaccine at the very heart of the development process to achieve a rapid and successful development of a medicine in this field.
AnGes MG obtains the right to receive royalty payments on the basis of the value of the cancer DNA vaccine after its market release. AnGes MG will provide support to Immuno- Frontier, including its proprietary know-how and technologies that it has developed and accumulated to date in the field of genetic medicines, by building a firm alliance with ImmunoFrontier for the success of its cancer DNA vaccine project. |
| Company
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| ImmunoFrontier,Inc. |
| Headquartered at: |
Tsu City, Mie Prefecture |
| CEO: |
Tadashi Hishida |
| Established: |
October 2004 |
| Capital: |
JPY 20,000,000 (as of October 2004) |
| Number of Employees: |
5 (as of October 2004) |
| Description of Business: |
Development, production, etc. of cancer vaccines and curative medicines for immunological disorders. |
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