Epimmune Grants License For Ex Vivo Applications Of Cancer Epitopes.

2001 OCT 24 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Epimmune Inc. has granted Anosys Inc., formerly AP Cells, a nonexclusive license to certain cancer antigens for use in Anosys' cancer therapy program.

The license covers certain patented and nonpatented rights to Epimmune's universal breast, colon, lung (BCL) and prostate epitope packages for use in ex vivo cancer therapy. Epimmune's BCL and prostate vaccine epitopes (antigen fragments) are derived from multiple tumor-associated antigens and contain both native and analog epitope sequences to enhance vaccine potency. Anosys' technology allows the presentation of cancer antigens on small particles, which are termed exosomes, derived from a class of white blood cells that can activate the major immune responses.

The license is worldwide except for Japan, where Epimmune has previously licensed such rights. The license agreement also includes an option to acquire nonexclusive rights to an additional group of cancer antigens. Financial terms of the agreement include an upfront license fee, milestones, and royalties on product sales. This is the third license that Epimmune has granted for ex vivo applications.

"Outlicensing our epitope packages gives us an opportunity to maximize the development potential of our products in therapeutic approaches that are not being pursued by Epimmune while providing financial resources for our internal development programs," said Emile Loria, MD, president and chief executive officer of Epimmune. "While Epimmune has an active cancer program focused on in vivo immunization, our strategy continues to be to license our cancer epitopes to companies with existing ex vivo technology. Anosys is a leader in the development of exosome technology for multiple applications, and we are ...