Richter-Helm in partneship with Athera Biotechnologies to produce
recombinant protein for cardiovascular disease
31 January 2009
Richter-Helm BioLogics GmbH & Co. KG and Swiss company Athera
Biotechnologies AB have signed an agreement for the development and
manufacturing of Athera's novel product for prevention of plaque rupture
and athero-thrombosis through binding of the protein, Annexin A5, to
endothelium.
The recombinant protein Annexin A5 is intended for the treatment of
patients with acute coronary syndrome and who are at imminent risk for
myocardial infarction.
This agreement secures a highly cost efficient long-term development
and manufacturing plan for Athera, including possible future large
volume commercial production. Annexin A5 is a biotechnology product
produced using Richter-Helm's proprietary E. coli based expression
system. Richter-Helm will initiate strain and process development of the
new process, reaching a 1000 litre production scale.
"The Annexin A5 project fits well with the competence and experience
of our company. We are confident that our collaboration will be as
efficient and constructive as our negotiations were. Our
state-of-the-art facilities are ideal for producing the high-quality
Annexin A5 required to comply with the standards of the regulatory
agencies," stated Dr. Bert Behnke, Managing Director of Richter-Helm.
"We are very pleased to get Richter-Helm as our development partner,
they have an excellent reputation. We have now secured cost competitive
and high quality production for clinical and commercial use," said
Carina Schmidt, CEO of Athera Biotechnologies.
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