TIDMPOLB
RNS Number : 0630A
Poolbeg Pharma PLC
31 January 2022
Poolbeg Pharma plc
Confirmation that the licence to develop oral vaccine delivery
platform has been executed
31 January, 2022 - Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, 'Poolbeg' or the
'Company') a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical
company with a capital light clinical model, confirms that it has
signed the licence to AnaBio Technologies ' ('AnaBio')
microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation technologies to develop an
oral vaccine delivery platform.
This follows the binding term sheet announced on 16 December
2021 . This licence provides Poolbeg with exclusive access to
AnaBio's microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation technologies for
use in the development and commercialisation of vaccines. Combined
with the Company's expertise in infectious diseases and vaccine
development, Poolbeg will use this technology as a platform to
complement its existing and growing pipeline of assets by
developing oral vaccines for multiple disease indications.
Oral vaccines have been used successfully, but in a limited way,
for decades, such as in the prevention of polio and typhoid.
Broadening the range of diseases with oral vaccines available is
beneficial as they can provide enhanced benefits by delivering
antigens to specific areas of the gut, triggering the development
of 'mucosal immunity' which prevents pathogens from infecting the
body. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated demand for innovation
in the development of vaccines, and o ral vaccines offer many
advantages having improved vaccine stability profiles, easier
global distribution and administration as well as tackling the
issue of needle-phobia.
This is the latest in several licence agreements that Poolbeg
has completed since its IPO in July 2021, demonstrating delivery
against commitments made at the time of listing. The Company's
pipeline of assets continues to expand and is increasing in
diversity with the addition of this innovative oral vaccine
delivery platform. This latest licencing agreement follows swiftly
on the back of a series of other recently announced potentially
ground-breaking infectious disease asset deals. This includes the
first-in-class, intranasally administered, RNA-based immunotherapy
for respiratory virus infections announced on 17 January 2022 (POLB
002). In December 2021 the Company announced that it had successful
signed an option agreement to licence an intramuscular Melioidosis
vaccine (POLB 003). Melioidosis is a disease which presents a
dangerous and underappreciated threat to human health which
currently has no approved vaccine and a very high mortality rate
and in addition, concerns are growing around global warming
contributing to the spread of the disease to traditionally
non-tropical areas. These new assets are in addition to the
Company's lead programme, POLB 001, a treatment for severe
influenza. Post-pandemic the global community recognises the
importance of vaccines and treatments against infectious disease
and governments are hugely increasing their investment into
influenza pandemic preparedness.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma, said:
"Vaccine uptake is a critical factor in the effectiveness of
combating communicable infectious diseases, something that the
COVID-19 pandemic has shown in recent months. Oral vaccines bring
significant benefits both in terms of the logistics required to
distribute and administer them, but also in how the body responds
through creating mucosal immunity in the gut and acting as a
barrier to the infection.
"This licencing deal with AnaBio and the access to its advanced
micro- and nano-encapsulation technologies will enable Poolbeg to
develop an oral vaccine delivery platform from which to complement
an already diverse pipeline of treatments and vaccines against
infectious diseases."
Aidan Fitzsimons, PhD, CEO of, AnaBio Technologies, said:
"This is a really exciting opportunity to apply AnaBio's
patented micro-encapsulation technology, which has been shown to
facilitate absorption of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API's)
through the gut, in the development of an oral vaccine.
Micro-encapsulation is a process which involves coating microscopic
particles of an API with a protective layer enabling the API to
travel safely through the digestive system, and be absorbed across
the gut in a bioavailable form. Combining AnaBio's proven
micro-encapsulation technology and Poolbeg's vaccine and immunology
expertise puts us both in a great position to deliver a genuine
breakthrough innovation in oral vaccine development."
- Ends -
Enquiries
Poolbeg Pharma Plc
Jeremy Skillington, CEO
Ian O'Connell, CFO +44 (0) 207 183 1499
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint
Broker)
Geoff Nash, James Thompson, Charlie
Beeson +44 (0) 20 7220 0500
Arden Partners PLC (Joint Broker)
John Lewellyn-Lloyd, Louisa Waddell +44 (0) 207 614 5900
J&E Davy (Joint Broker)
Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist +353 (0) 1 679 6363
Instinctif Partners +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, poolbeg@instinctif.com
Tim Field
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease
pharmaceutical company, with a capital light clinical model which
aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively
than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in
London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and
delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a "one-stop
shop" for Big Pharma seeking mid-stage products to licence or
acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become
one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed
$250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from Open Orphan plc, an industry
leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business,
Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from
over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these
insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage
products, reducing spend and risk. It already has a Phase II ready
repositioned small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza
and a portfolio of other exciting assets. The Company plans to
broaden this portfolio further going forward and is in active
discussions with AI data analysis platforms to help accelerate the
power of its human challenge model data and biobank.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or
follow us @PoolbegPharma
About AnaBio Technologies
AnaBio Technologies is a specialist microencapsulation company,
focussed on improving health and performance through
micro-encapsulation of sensitive bioactive ingredients for food,
beverage and pharmaceutical applications. Founded in 2011 by Dr
Sinead Bleiel, and based in Carrigtwohill Co Cork, AnaBio has
developed into a global leader in the field of micro encapsulation
with 15 patent families and clients across N America, Asia, and
EU.
Bioactives and APIs clearly bestow health benefits, but are
vulnerable to being inactivated by environmental stresses
encountered during processing, storage and digestion. This can
result in limited quantities of intact active bioactives reaching
the site of action in the body, and no health benefit.
Microencapsulation represents a sophisticated delivery system
designed to overcome this problem. A protective coat is created at
microscopic level around the bioactive or API which protects the
ingredient from a wide range of environmental conditions, enables
its release at the appropriate site within the body , and thereby
ensures that the potential health benefits of the bioactive are
fully realised.
AnaBio Technologies offers its clients a range of services
including contract research to develop bespoke microencapsulation
solutions, commercial scale manufacture and supply of
microencapsulated ingredients and licencing of its patented
microencapsulated technology
For further information visit www.anabio.ie or email
aidan.fitzsimons@anabio.ie.
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