Last month, Amunix, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Mountain View, CA, announced that it had entered into an exclusive worldwide research collaboration with Biogen Idec. According to the Amunix press release, the companies’ collaboration will focus on the research and development of fully recombinant blood factors proteins with “improved therapeutic properties.”
Using its patented XTEN technology, Amunix develops novel therapies with a prolonged half-life to reduce dosing frequency. Biogen Idec, headquartered in Weston, MA, specializes in the development of recombinant factor therapies for the treatment of hemophilia.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Biogen Idec, a global leader in hemophilia therapeutics,” said Willem ‘Pim’ Stemmer, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Amunix. “Existing recombinant blood factor products require frequent intravenous infusions and there is strong medical need for products that can be dosed less frequently and more conveniently, and used prophylactically.”
“Biogen Idec is pleased to initiate research on this innovative technology in collaboration with Amunix,” said Glenn Pierce, PhD, MD, Senior Vice President of Biogen Idec Hemophilia. “We have a long-term commitment to hemophilia. In addition to advancing our current late-stage long-lasting Factor IX and Factor VIII programs, we continue to invest in innovations like XTEN, which have the potential to bring further-improved treatment options to the hemophilia community.”
Source: Amunix press release dated April 13, 2011
