Conference Reports
15th BioPartnering Europe
London, UK 7th-9th October, 2007.
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, London welcomed this year’s BioPartnering Europe conference, attracting more than 1300 attendees and presenters, including leading decision makers in their fields from more than 500 companies, to form necessary international collaborations. The three-day event opened with a reception acknowledging the importance of Wales as a biotech centre in Europe. This was followed by two days of networking in thought provoking interviews, workshops and presentations, including interactive media sessions highlighting key technologies, alliances and R&D.
Among the giants of the pharmaceutical world, Astra- Zeneca, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer, Roche and Novartis, smaller companies featured heavily in the schedule, presenting interesting research and many licensing opportunities. Presentations of interest included that from BioMarck Pharmaceuticals, which highlighted the development of its lead compound BIO-11006, a first-in class compound showing promise in the treatment of hypersecretory and inflammatory respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma and cystic fibrosis. BIO-11006 inhibits hypersecretion and pulmonary inflammation via a novel dual mechanism, and has shown efficacy and safety in a variety of animal models and preclinical studies. Following the completion of Phase I trials in July 2007, BioMarck plans to initiate a Phase IIa study of an inhaled formulation of BIO-11006 in COPD patients in 2008. The compound is available for licensing worldwide.
Following on from this, emerging company, Aquinox presented details of its first-in-class SH2-containing inositol 5’ phosphatase (SHIP) agonist, AQX-100. This unique protein, only found in blood cells including leucocytes, regulates the PI3 kinase pathway, which in turn controls growth, survival and immune cell activation. AQX-100 has been shown to inhibit immune and blood cell activation in vitro, and mouse models of human inflammatory disease and lymphoma. Aquinox aims to develop AQX-100 for multiple myeloma, chronic myelogenous leukaemia and acute myelogenous leukaemia. An additional compound discussed was AQXMN106, which is also a SHIP agonist and is under development for the treatment for inflammation, allergy/asthma, and autoimmune diseases such as genevs-host disease during organ transplant. AQX-MN278 is currently under development for bone marrow stimulation, haematopoiesis and myeloprotection. Aquinox also publicised worldwide licensing opportunities for its portfolio of compounds.
In the field of female sexual dysfunction, NexMed was seeking potential partners for its prostaglandin E1 agonist, Femprox. In Phase III trials, the alprostadil formulation significantly improved sexual arousal in women. Competition is slim with Intrinsa and Ixora being the only two drugs reported as launched for this indication, and with Femprox offering the advantage of transdermal administration, Nexmed has high hopes for its candidate. Amongst other smaller companies presenting was Fovea Pharmaceuticals, which reported inspiring preclinical results of its novel protein, FOV-2501, for the prevention of vision loss in retinitis pigmentosa. It prolonged survival of cones and showed steady improvement of retinal function.
Over 3 informative days of ground-breaking pharmaceutical news, discussion and partnering opportunities , BioPartnering Europe once again consolidated its position as Europe’s leading biotechnology conference. As well as offering a unique opportunity for delegates from medium and large pharmaceutical and biotech companies to expose partnership opportunities, BioPartnering Europe remains the place for emerging and start-up competitors to highlight novel drugs for financial funding and licensing agreements. This ever successful conference once again lived up to its reputation.
The 16th BioPartnering Europe will be held in London on the 14th-18th Oct 2008.
Jonathan Stephens and Paul D'Souza
Pharmaprojects Analysts
Delegates photo courtesy of BioPartnering Europe
