UCB Pharma announces partnership with Dynavax to develop and market products for the treatment of allergies

Brussels, 6 February 2OO4 - UCB announced today that its pharmaceutical sector, UCB Pharma, has entered into a research and development collaboration and licensing agreement with Dynavax Technologies Corporation for the purpose of drug development and marketing of prophylactic treatments for severe allergies. Following this agreement UCB Pharma will develop and market Dynavax's novel allergy treatments globally. UCB Pharma has licensed the technology, know-how, pre-clinical and clinical data related to Dynavax's phase IIb ragweed and pre-clinical grass allergy therapies and has also been granted an option to license Dynavax's pre-clinical peanut allergy programme.

Worldwide millions of patients suffer from allergies. Dynavax's novel approach, based on the subcutaneous administration of immunostimulatory sequences conjugated with specific allergens in a short term treatment regimen, addresses the cause of severe allergies and has the potential to make prophylactic allergy treatment more effective and convenient. Through the agreement UCB Pharma expects to expand the portfolio of allergy treatments it provides to physicians and patients worldwide.

Under the agreement Dynavax will receive an upfront fee and additional payments based on the achievement of defined clinical and regulatory objectives. UCB Pharma will fund the continued research and development programme of the licensed treatments for its full term. If any of the licensed programmes are approved for marketing Dynavax will receive royalties. Under specific circumstances UCB Pharma has agreed to Dynavax retaining an option to co-promote any approved product in the United States.

Tom Beck, Director of Research and Development at UCB Pharma, commented: “Allergies are widespread and debilitating. Prophylactic treatment is of paramount importance to the millions of people who suffer daily from an abnormal immune response. Combining the innovative expertise of Dynavax with the development and marketing experience of UCB Pharma will accelerate both our efforts to make effective new treatments available to patients faster. UCB Pharma particularly welcomes the agreement with Dynavax as we share many common goals.”

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