Vienna 09. MArch 2009 – onepharm, a biotech company based in Vienna, Austria, has recently acquired a patent from WuHan Huana Biological Engineering Company. The patent is based on a co-development of WuHan Huana and the pharmaceutical department of the WuHan University, a leading Chinese research institute. Based on these preclinical data onepharm will initiate a new program in IBD which works perfectly with the company’s existing research and development program in chronic inflammatory diseases.
Chronic inflammatory bowl diseases such as colitis ulcerosa and Crohn’s disease are an increasing health problem in the industrialized world with limited treatment options. In several animal studies WuHan university demonstrated beneficial effects of OPM-3023 against bowl inflammation.
The patent was filed by WuHan Huana Biological Engineering Company, a company owned by Prof. Hong Ding, the inventor and sponsor of the IBD program. “With this technology acquisition we have again strengthened onepharm’s portfolio” says Bernhard Küenburg, CEO of onepharm, “It perfectly matches our portfolio and due to our own experience with the therapeutic substance OPM-3023 we have a realistic chance to rapidly enter clinical development.” onepharm intends to confirm the acquired data in an animal model and then enter a clinical proof of concept study based on the existing data and documentation available at onepharm. “It is also a pleasure to collaborate with one of the leading Universities in China”, so Dr. Küenburg. “We are very excited to work together with a professional research company like onepharm”, says Prof. Hong Ding, vice dean at the College of Pharmacy, WuHan University. “During a joint meeting in WuHan a very good personal relationship was established which we hope will lead to a fruitful collaboration”.
About WuHan University: WuHan University is a key university under direct administration of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. It is regarded as one of the best and most selective universities in China. Its history dates back to 1893, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education and research in China. It became the first modern Chinese university in the early 1920s. It is located in Hubei Province's capital Wuhan.
About onepharm, a Vienna-based Biotech company, was founded jointly by the management and Avir Green Hills Biotechnology in 2005. The company focuses on the development of its lead candidate OPM-3023 in chronic inflammatory indications such as periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, new derivatives of OPM-3023 are synthesized and screened to understand their anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. This medicinal chemistry program (ASPEX Vienna) is funded by the ZIT (Zentrum für Innovation and Technologie GmbH) of the City of Vienna. To this date, onepharm has been able to attract funds exceeding EUR 8.5 million, including equity capital, subsidized loans and research grants.
Contact
onepharm Research & Development GmbH
Dr. Bernhard Küenburg, CEO
Veterinärplatz 1, Building IA
1210 Wien
Tel.: +43-25077-5900
Fax: +43-25077-5999
bernhard.kueenburg(at)onepharm.com
www.onepharm.com
