Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBOT), a
California-based biotechnology company and world leader in the sustainable
manufacture of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a protein used for stimulating
and measuring immune response, has announced plans to form a joint venture with
Neovacs S.A., a French biotechnology company focused on an active immunotherapy
technology platform.
The joint venture will be for the manufacture of conjugated
therapeutic vaccines based upon Stellar’s proprietary KLH protein, specifically
to produce Neovacs’ Kinoid product candidates, including IFNa-Kinoid, and to
potentially produce other KLH-based immunotherapies on behalf of third party
customers. However, negotiations are not complete and will continue regarding
details of the venture’s exact ownership and organization, though it is
anticipated that initial ownership will be 70% with Neovacs and 30% with
Stellar. The announcement was also careful to make clear that there can be no
assurance the joint venture will be consummated or, if consummated, will
achieve the expected results.
Stellar’s Chairman and CEO, Frank Oakes, said of the
proposed venture: “We believe the proposed joint venture could be a very
positive development for both Stellar and Neovacs. It would enable us to work
together to ensure the successful development of IFNa-Kinoid at scale but,
importantly, we anticipate building manufacturing infrastructure and expertise
that could be offered to other developers of conjugate vaccines looking to
transition their product candidates from clinical to commercial scale. For Stellar,
this is an example of leveraging our KLH core business to expand our potential
clinical and commercial opportunities.”
Neovacs CEO, Miguel Sieler, added: “We look forward to
working with Stellar Biotechnologies to form this cooperative venture, as they
are the leading supplier of KLH protein based on sustainable, scalable
aquaculture techniques. Since KLH is a key component of IFNa-Kinoid, this
venture is intended to support Neovacs as we work toward potential market
launch, as well as bring added value in the field of KLH-Kinoid conjugate
vaccines.”
For more information, visit www.StellarBiotech.com and
http://ir.StellarBiotechnologies.com.
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