Press release 2020-09-09
The board of ISR Immune System Regulation Holding AB (ISR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with Beijing Kawin Technology Share-Holding Co., Ltd. (KAWIN), in order to develop ISRs immunolide ISR50 for Hepatitis B (HBV). ISR50 is a TLR agonist for an immunostimulatory treatment of HBV, a compound with a mode of action based on 2011 Nobel prize.
Together with KAWIN, ISR will initiate pre-clinical testing in animal models of HBV evaluating the immunostimulatory properties of ISR50. KAWIN has received a Right of First Refusal (ROFR), which stipulates that KAWIN has the license for the Chinese (PRC) market since KAWIN is financing all the studies. The objective is to explore, negotiate and agree on the detailed and definite terms of the potential license agreement by the 31st of May 2021
”Inspired by the successful targeting of Hepatitis C (HCV), we are now joining forces with KAWIN to fight HBV with our immunostimulatory compound ISR50. KAWIN has great expertise in investigating and developing anti-viral drugs, which will be important for a successful collaboration, complementing ISR’s expertise in immunology. The two companies make a good logical fit to join efforts to bring a new therapy to the market”, comments Ola Winqvist, CEO ISR.
According to WHO, approximately 240 million people globally are chronic carriers of the disease and more than 700 000 HBV infected persons die yearly from the consequences of the disease, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Vaccination against HBV has been successful but today there is no existing cure for the already infected.
“We are thrilled to cooperate with ISR that lies in the forefront of immunotherapy to work on curative solutions of hepatitis B in China, especially as the two companies complement each other in anti-viral area. Approximately 70 million people are infected with HBV in China”, comments Antonio Cai, BD HEAD of KAWIN.
Chronic virus infections cause a state of immunosuppression, a suppression that can be reversed by stimulating specific antigen presenting cells, i.e. Kupfer cells of the liver, to activate an immune response. ISR 50 is already in late stage toxicology testing where optimal formulation for HBV is developed.
For further information, please contact:
Ola Winqvist
CEO, ISR Immune System Regulation Holding AB (publ) E-post: ola.winqvist@israb.se
Phone: +46 (0)70 5427939
Aktien
Ticker: ISR
ISIN-kod: SE0008212195
www.israb.se
About KAWIN Beijing Kawin Technology Share-Holding Co., Ltd.Kawin is a leading-edge Chinese pharmaceutical company providing treatment solutions with the focus on viral diseases. Based upon their extensive expertise in drug discovery, drug development, manufacturing, and commercialization in the target area, Kawin recently launched an oral therapy that can achieve cured of HCV infection in China. Kawin owns 7 GMP production lines, working with both biological- and chemical products, and has a turnover of approximately EUR 100 million.
This information is information that ISR Immune System Regulation AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 14.43 CET on September 9, 2020.
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About ISR Immune System Regulation Holding AB (publ)
ISR is an innovation driven pharmaceutical development company within immunotherapy. The company focuses on clinical and preclinical research, with the goal to develop a broad-spectrum antiviral platform of immune regulating pharmaceutics. Mangold Fondkommission AB, is the company’s Certified Adviser, and can be reached on phone +46 (0)8-463 80 00 and E-mail ca@mangold.se.