KU Leuven and FIT Biotech today announced that they entered into a worldwide license and collaboration agreement for the development of novel immunotherapeutics based on FIT Biotech's proprietary Gene Transport Unit (GTU) technology for transient in vivo expression of monoclonal antibodies. The agreement provides KU Leuven with an exclusive worldwide license to six undisclosed proprietary antibodies or marketed recombinant products.
“FIT Biotech continues to apply its platform technology in several therapeutic areas through collaborations and its own research and business development,” said Kalevi Reijonen, CEO and President, FIT Biotech Ltd. “This agreement reflects our strategy to maximize the value of our technology by partnering with companies or universities that have a unique expertise to drive the development of promising vaccines or immunotherapeutics.”
“We are extremely delighted to collaborate with FIT Biotech and build further on their powerful technology platform,” said Nick Geukens, Research Manager of PharmAbs, the KU Leuven antibody center. “Our R&D program meets the clear need for more selective and effective management strategies to combat nosocomial infections and cancer. By commercializing our R&D programs we ultimately aim to establish a new, fully-dedicated Flemish spin-off company that will be responsible for (pre)clinical development and marketing of the generated products.”
Further information
Kalevi Reijonen, CEO & President, FIT Biotech Ltd
Phone +358 40 8435695
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Nick Geukens, PharmAbs Research Manager
Phone +31 16 377 177
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FIT Biotech (www.fitbiotech.com) is an innovative medical biotechnology company based in Tampere, Finland engaged in the development and commercialisation of its proprietary Gene Transport Unit (GTU) technology and GTU® product applications in DNA vaccination, as well as in immuno- and gene therapies.
KU Leuven (www.kuleuven.be/english) is a knowledge nexus in the heart of Europe where cuttingedge research, societal outreach and high-quality education meet. Founded in 1425, it is the oldest and largest university in Belgium. As a leading European research university, it offers a comprehensive selection of academic programmes. More than 6,000 researchers from over 120 countries carry out strategic frontier research and targeted demand-driven research at both the university and its hospitals. Technology transfer, one of KU Leuven’s strong points, is stimulated through KU Leuven Research & Development (LRD). The university cooperates closely with external partners in industry, government and civil society.
PharmAbs (www.pharmabs.org) is an innovation, incubation and valorization platform at KU Leuven, clustering the antibody expertise of five different KU Leuven groups. It is the mission of PharmAbs to fundamental biomedical research carried out by universities into lead products for new medicines or into novel diagnostic solutions.