20 February, 2009 Munich, Germany – Ascenion GmbH announces today that it is taking an equity position in MBiotec GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company that has recently been founded in order to develop and commercialize the compound MALP-2S for the treatment of cancer. MALP-2 is a lipopeptide originating from mycoplasma that was discovered by Prof. Mühlradt and his team at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI). During 20 years of intensive research, the scientists have characterized the compound in detail, established a process for the production of a synthetic analogue, MALP-2S, and built an extensive set of data demonstrating that MALP-2S can effectively stimulate the human immune system - innate as well as adaptive immunity. Moreover, preclinical studies and a physician sponsored phase I/II trial (1) indicate safety as well as anti-tumour activity of the compound in pancreatic cancer patients. It was during BioVaria 2008, a life-science showcasing event initiated by Ascenion, that these data triggered interest from experienced industry managers.
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New Compound for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer Ascenion Receives Equity in Oncology Start-up MBiotec
20 February, 2009 Munich, Germany – Ascenion GmbH announces today that it is taking an equity position in MBiotec GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company that has recently been founded in order to develop and commercialize the compound MALP-2S for the treatment of cancer. MALP-2 is a lipopeptide originating from mycoplasma that was discovered by Prof. Mühlradt and his team at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI). During 20 years of intensive research, the scientists have characterized the compound in detail, established a process for the production of a synthetic analogue, MALP-2S, and built an extensive set of data demonstrating that MALP-2S can effectively stimulate the human immune system - innate as well as adaptive immunity. Moreover, preclinical studies and a physician sponsored phase I/II trial (1) indicate safety as well as anti-tumour activity of the compound in pancreatic cancer patients. It was during BioVaria 2008, a life-science showcasing event initiated by Ascenion, that these data triggered interest from experienced industry managers.