By Baltazar Gomez --
On July 16, 2007, ProMetic BioSciences Inc. and Laboratorios Dermatologicos Darier S.A. announced that the companies had entered into an agreement to develop and market ProMetic's synthetic anti-inflammatory compound PBI-1308 in dermatological disorders. PBI-1308 is a novel compound with in vivo efficacy in animal models of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis when administered orally or topically.
Under the agreement, Darier will be responsible for developing drug formulations as well as conducting clinical programs for regulatory approval of PBI-1308 in dermatological applications. ProMetic will provide pre-clinical information and the active ingredient. In addition, Darier has the option to obtain exclusive rights to commercialize PBI-1308 in Mexico, Central America, and South America (excluding Brazil). Both companies will also seek to further license the rights of the drug dossier to other territories worldwide (excluding Canada).
In their press release, Pierre Laurin, President and CEO of ProMetic, and Ricardo Spinola, COO of Darier, expressed optimism that combining ProMetic's ability to generate novel molecules and Darier's expertise for developing and marketing novel dermatological products would address unsatisfied medical markets. Currently, there are millions of people afflicted with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, a market that could provide significant future revenue.
ProMetic BioSciences Inc. is a Montreal-based drug development subsidiary of ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. ProMetic Life Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in research, development, manufacture, and marketing of a variety of applications derived from its proprietary Mimetic Ligand technology, which can be used in large-scale purification of biologics and the elimination of pathogens. ProMetic's drug discovery platform is focused on replacing complex and expensive proteins with synthetic "drug-like" protein mimetics. Laboratorios Dermatologicos Darier S.A. of Mexico City, Mexico is a market leader in dermatology, with a 14% market share in Mexico and an established marketing presence in Latin America. Darier's product range includes products for acne, atopic dermatitis, sunscreens, and skin cancer.
Comments