Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBOT), a California-based biotechnology company and world leader in the sustainable manufacture of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a protein used for stimulating and measuring immune response, has announced plans to form a joint venture with Neovacs S.A., a French biotechnology company focused on an active immunotherapy technology platform.
The joint venture will be for the manufacture of conjugated therapeutic vaccines based upon Stellar’s proprietary KLH protein, specifically to produce Neovacs’ Kinoid product candidates, including IFNa-Kinoid, and to potentially produce other KLH-based immunotherapies on behalf of third party customers. However, negotiations are not complete and will continue regarding details of the venture’s exact ownership and organization, though it is anticipated that initial ownership will be 70% with Neovacs and 30% with Stellar. The announcement was also careful to make clear that there can be no assurance the joint venture will be consummated or, if consummated, will achieve the expected results.
Stellar’s Chairman and CEO, Frank Oakes, said of the proposed venture: “We believe the proposed joint venture could be a very positive development for both Stellar and Neovacs. It would enable us to work together to ensure the successful development of IFNa-Kinoid at scale but, importantly, we anticipate building manufacturing infrastructure and expertise that could be offered to other developers of conjugate vaccines looking to transition their product candidates from clinical to commercial scale. For Stellar, this is an example of leveraging our KLH core business to expand our potential clinical and commercial opportunities.”
Neovacs CEO, Miguel Sieler, added: “We look forward to working with Stellar Biotechnologies to form this cooperative venture, as they are the leading supplier of KLH protein based on sustainable, scalable aquaculture techniques. Since KLH is a key component of IFNa-Kinoid, this venture is intended to support Neovacs as we work toward potential market launch, as well as bring added value in the field of KLH-Kinoid conjugate vaccines.”
For more information, visit www.StellarBiotech.com and http://ir.StellarBiotechnologies.com.
