|
Seattle, Washington, March, 1998 - CORIXA Corporation (NASDAQ CRXA) and IMUGEN jointly announced today that they have entered into a license agreement which provides IMUGEN to some of CORIXA's recombinant antigens for diagnosis of the tick-borne diseases, Babesia microti and Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE). The agreement provides IMUGEN with an exclusive license, including the right to sub-license, these recombinant antigens for reference laboratory testing in the United States and Canada in exchange for a share of revenues from testing for tick-borne diseases, and from any diagnostic kits or blood screening tests that may be developed as a result of this collaboration.
Babesia microti and Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis are two emerging diseases that are transmitted by the same ticks that transmit Lyme disease. These infections, which can prove to be fatal, are being increasingly found in patients tested for Lyme disease. The infections are also being evaluated to determine whether they represent a threat to the blood supply. Routine laboratory tests may often be perplexing due to complex clinical presentations and the limitations of sensitivity and specificity of the current antigens used in laboratory tests today. Complications can be severe if there a misdiagnosis, as the wrong treatment regimen may be prescribed, leaving the infection untreated.
"CORIXA's antigen discovery program allows us to identify novel antigens useful for diagnostic applications. We believe IMUGEN is a leader in specialized testing for Lyme disease as well as other tick-borne diseases and are pleased to be working with them in this area," said Steven Gillis, President and CEO of CORIXA. "IMUGEN has access to well-characterized patient sera, and also provides primary and reference serologic testing for hospitals and clinics in regions of the country where there is the highest incidence of tick-related infection. We feel that this recent collaboration with an industry leader is yet another endorsement of our antigen discovery strategy."
Victor Berardi, CEO of IMUGEN, added "IMUGEN's expertise in the diagnosis of tick-borne diseases combined with CORIXA's novel recombinant antigens will allow us to provide physicians with a better understanding of what is happening with their patients, leading to appropriate treatment. We are impressed with CORIXA's antigen discovery program, and look forward to working together with them."
About CORIXA: CORIXA Corporation, located in Seattle, WA, is a development-stage biotechnology company founded in September, 1994. The company is focused on the discovery and early clinical development of proprietary vaccines and diagnostics. CORIXA's strategy is to dedicate its resources to antigen discovery for vaccines and diagnostics and to establish corporate partnerships as early in the development process as possible for all aspects of its product development and commercialization. CORIXA's portfolio of novel recombinant antigens includes tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, and chagas' disease. CORIXA is extending its antigen discovery into other areas of infectious diseases, including chlamydia.
About IMUGEN: IMUGEN, Inc, is a privately held company based in Norwood, MA, that has pioneered specialized testing for tick-borne diseases. It is also expanding its laboratory services into rheumatological disorders and autoimmune diseases.
Press Releases
220 Norwood Park South
Norwood, MA 02062
1-800-246-8436
1-781-255-0770