LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS -- (Marketwire) -- 08/18/09 --
Dutch biopharma company
Crucell N.V. (Euronext, Nasdaq: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX) today
announced that it received a National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/National Institutes of Health (NIH)
contract aimed at advancing the development of monoclonal antibodies
for the treatment of seasonal and pandemic influenza. The contract
provides funding of up to $40.7 million, with additional options that
may be triggered at the discretion of the NIH worth a further $28.4
million, bringing the potential total amount to $69.1 million.
"With the world now at pandemic alert level six, and recent reports
of A/H1N1 oseltamivir resistance occurring, the timing of this
contract is extremely important" said Dr. Jaap Goudsmit, Crucell's
Chief Scientific Officer. "It will allow Crucell and its partners to
pursue a new approach for the treatment of the disease caused by both
seasonal and pandemic influenza strains."
Crucell has developed a set of unique human monoclonal antibodies
that have been shown to protect against a wide range of distinct
seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. These antibodies are active
against the seasonal H1N1 viruses, which show widespread resistance
to oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the current first-line therapeutic. They
were also found to be active against the pandemic 'swine flu' H1N1
influenza viruses and the avian H5N1 'bird flu' viruses, which are
still circulating in Asia. In December 2008, Crucell published
pre-clinical data showing the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy
of these antibodies in the online journal PLoS ONE. This was followed
in February 2009 by a breakthrough publication in the journal Science
elucidating the mechanism of action of the most potent of these
antibodies.
The NIH award confirms the validity of Crucell's innovative antibody
approach, spearheaded by the rabies monoclonal program.
Crucell will be the primary contractor with additional services being
supplied by Quintiles Guys Drug Research Unit and RetroScreen Ltd,
both located in London, as well as Viroclinics and Central Veterinary
Institute, both located in the Netherlands.
About Influenza
Influenza, commonly known as 'flu', affects large sections of the
world's population each year. The disease is characterized by annual
winter outbreaks, which often reach epidemic proportions due to
the fact that the virus can mutate quickly, often producing new
strains against which human beings do not have immunity. Typical
symptoms of flu are usually relatively mild but can become life
threatening in vulnerable patient groups, such as the elderly and
immunodeficient individuals.
