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Boehringer Ingelheim Cambridge, MA, September 17, 2002 -- Therion Biologics Corporation has entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the US subsidiary of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies, for the use of ICAM-1 in Therion�s proprietary vaccines. ICAM-1, which plays a role in immune cell activation, is a component of TRICOM™, Therion�s co-stimulatory system for optimizing immune response against tumor cells. TRICOM is an integral component of Therion�s lead product candidate, PROSTVAC-VF/TRICOM™, currently in clinical investigation for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. �This licensing agreement represents an important addition to Therion�s intellectual property position for our products and technology,� said Mark Leuchtenberger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Therion Biologics. �TRICOM is the cornerstone of Therion�s next generation approach to enhancing the strong immune activation necessary for targeted tumor destruction and is currently being evaluated in the clinic as a component of our lead cancer vaccine candidates.� Under the terms of this agreement, Therion gains the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize oncology and infectious disease product candidates incorporating the ICAM-1 co-stimulatory molecule. In return, Therion will pay Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. an upfront licensing fee, as well as milestone payments and royalties based on potential product sales. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. About TRICOMTRICOM, which stands for a TRIad of CO-stimulatory Molecules, is designed to enhance antigen presentation and activation of immune responses critical for tumor destruction. Therion is using the co-stimulatory molecules ICAM-1, B7.1 and LFA-3, TRICOM, as part of its pox virus vector-based approach to cancer immunotherapy for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and melanoma, respectively. About Therion Biologics Corporation Therion Biologics Corporation develops therapeutic vaccines for cancer and preventive vaccines for AIDS. The company has three lead programs involving multiple clinical trials: PROSTVAC-VF/TRICOM™ for prostate cancer; CEA/MUC-1-VF/TRICOM™ for pancreatic cancer; and VF/TRICOM™ for melanoma. Therion is also applying its technology platform to develop vaccines to treat breast cancer and other solid tumors. The company�s strategic partners include Aventis Pasteur, which is developing a clinical candidate for colon cancer, ALVAC-CEA/B7.1, the National Cancer Institute and a global network of leading clinical institutions. Therion is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. About Boehringer Ingelheim The Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies, headquartered in Ingelheim (Germany), is one of the 20 leading pharmaceutical firms in the world. In 2001, it reported revenues of US $6 billion. Boehringer Ingelheim, which has some 140 affiliated companies in 42 countries worldwide, focuses on human pharmaceuticals and animal health. The human pharmaceuticals business, which accounts for 95% of sales, is comprised of prescription medicines, consumer health care products and chemicals and biopharmaceuticals for industrial customers. Research and development, production, and distribution facilities are located around the globe. In 2001, Boehringer Ingelheim�s R&D; spending was more than US $900 million, which is almost a fifth of net sales in prescription medicines. For more information on Boehringer Ingelheim, please see the international Internet website www.boehringer-ingelheim.com. ### Back to the top |
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