- Univercells to test proprietary mRNA vaccine delivered with
Altamira’s SemaPhore™ nanoparticles
- Targeting safer and accessible mRNA vaccines
Altamira Therapeutics Ltd. (“Altamira” or the
“Company”) (Nasdaq:CYTO), a company providing nanoparticle-based
technology for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic targets,
today announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement
with Univercells Group (“Univercells”) to evaluate the use of the
Company’s proprietary SemaPhore platform for the delivery of mRNA
vaccines. Univercells is a global life sciences company creating
platforms for developing and manufacturing biologics, including
mRNA vaccines and therapeutics, in a simple, scalable and
cost-efficient way.
Under the terms of the agreement, Univercells
will test in vitro and in vivo a proprietary mRNA vaccine delivered
with Altamira’s SemaPhore nanoparticle platform. Should the
experiments prove successful, Univercells and Altamira intend to
discuss and negotiate a commercial agreement for the development
and manufacturing of nanoparticle-based mRNA vaccines using
Univercells’ production platform.
“We are thrilled to initiate this collaboration
with Univercells to explore SemaPhore as a delivery vehicle for
mRNA vaccines”, commented Covadonga Pañeda, PhD, Altamira’s Chief
Operating Officer. “SemaPhore has shown to be an efficient delivery
vehicle for therapeutic RNA in many different disease models. With
this collaboration we will explore for the first time its potential
utility in delivering mRNA vaccines. Current delivery vehicles used
in the field of mRNA vaccines suffer from significant rates of mRNA
loss during cell entrance; in addition, they may cause local or
systemic side effects. SemaPhore reduces mRNA loss during cell
entrance, which may allow for using lower doses. This feature,
together with its favorable tolerability profile could make
SemaPhore a compelling alternative to conventional delivery
vehicles.”
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Altamira
to explore better ways to deliver mRNA to patients,” said José
Castillo, PhD, Chief Technology Officer of Univercells. “mRNA
vaccines, and mRNA in general, have proven to be a game-changer in
how we prevent, treat, and cure diseases in a range of fields from
oncology to infectious diseases. To unlock its full potential,
however, we need constant innovation to make mRNA products more
effective, efficient, and affordable. One key step is to develop
platforms that use lower doses of mRNA.”
mRNA vaccines work through priming the body’s
immune system to recognize and destroy a pathogen. The vaccines
introduce a small piece of the target pathogen’s proteins into
specialized cells in our bodies that can produce the full protein.
These cells then manufacture the target protein in small amounts
triggering the production of specific antibodies to destroy any
entity that has the same protein, such as a virus. Although our
bodies break down the vaccine’s mRNA very quickly, the antibodies
linger so that we are protected should we contract the virus in the
future.
About SemaPhore
SemaPhore is a versatile platform designed to
enable safe and effective delivery of mRNA into target cells, using
systemic or local administration. It is based on a proprietary 21
amino acid peptide that can engage any type of RNA in rapid
self-assembly into a polyplex. The polyplex has a size, charge, and
other physical features that allow it to escape hepatic clearance
and thus to reach target tissues other than the liver. SemaPhore
protects the RNA payload from degradation in the circulation and
allows for rapid and effective cell entrance. Efficient delivery
and positive treatment outcomes have been demonstrated in multiple
murine models of disease so far.
About Altamira Therapeutics
Altamira Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CYTO) is
developing and supplying peptide-based nanoparticle technologies
for efficient RNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues (OligoPhore™ /
SemaPhore™ platforms). The Company currently has two flagship siRNA
programs using its proprietary delivery technology: AM-401 for KRAS
driven cancer and AM-411 for rheumatoid arthritis, both in
preclinical development beyond in vivo proof of concept. The
versatile delivery platform is also suited for mRNA and other RNA
modalities and made available to pharma or biotech companies
through out-licensing. In addition, Altamira holds a 49% stake
(with additional economic rights) in its commercial-stage legacy
asset Bentrio®, an OTC nasal spray for allergic rhinitis. Further,
the Company is in the process of partnering / divesting its inner
ear legacy assets. Founded in 2003, Altamira is headquartered in
Hamilton, Bermuda, with its main operations in Basel, Switzerland.
For more information,
visit: https://altamiratherapeutics.com
About Univercells
Univercells is a global life sciences company
with the mission of making biologics accessible. Using our combined
expertise in scaling, production and
bioprocessing, Univercells finds new and sustainable ways to widen
access to life-changing drugs. Our affiliate companies deploy
innovations in infrastructure, drug substance manufacturing,
equipment manufacturing, equipment design, training, and
on-the-ground health services to drive down costs, shrink
manufacturing footprints and meet the needs of the entire health
value chain. Headquartered in Jumet (Belgium), Univercells is
supported by regional and national investors, as well as
international investors active in vaccines and healthcare, such as
the European Investment Bank and Global Health Investment Fund,
among others. https://www.univercells.com/
Forward-Looking Statements
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constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical
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including the impact of any future acquisitions, dispositions,
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structure, including future securities offerings. These risks and
uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, those described
under the caption "Risk Factors" in Altamira’s Annual Report on
Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, and in Altamira’s
other filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”),
which are available free of charge on the SEC’s website at:
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and Altamira does not undertake any obligation to update them in
light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except
as may be required under applicable law.
Investor contact
Hear@altamiratherapeutics.com
Altamira Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CYTO)
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