Halle, Jan 24th, 2018. Lipocalyx, a leading developer of drug delivery systems for nucleic acids, has entered into a research and development agreement with BioNTech AG exclusive for certain fields. Under the agreement, Lipocalyx will apply its Viromer® technology for the delivery of certain mRNA’s and BioNTech will assume responsibility for the development of the resulting mRNA therapeutics. Both parties will cooperate in the clinical development of Viromer-based mRNA formulations.
 
The Viromer® technology is a novel concept in drug delivery wherein fully synthetic polymers mimic a naturally occurring mechanism of cellular uptake. Individual Viromers have been optimized for the delivery of a broad range of cargoes such as mRNA, pDNA, siRNA or Cas9 RNP, and have undergone broad commercialization.
 
Steffen Panzner, PhD, CEO& Founder of Lipocalyx, commented: "Over the past two years we made a strategic move to validate our technology in preclinical applications. This agreement now is an important step towards the clinical development of the Viromer technology. We are excited to share this vision with BioNTech, one of the leading companies in the mRNA therapeutics arena."
 
About Lipocalyx
Lipocalyx is a biotech company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing delivery solutions for nucleic acid therapeutics. Lipocalyx has its place of business in Halle (Saale), Germany and is privately held with investments from IBG Sachsen-Anhalt, HTGF, MBG and private shareholders. The Company has pioneered the Viromer® technology and commands a controlling IP position in the field.
 
About BioNTech
BioNTech is Europe’s largest privately held biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of individualized therapies for cancer and other diseases. The Company combines all building blocks for individualized immunotherapy under one roof – from diagnostics and drug development to manufacturing. Its cutting-edge technologies range from individualized mRNA-based medicines through innovative chimeric antigen receptors and T-cell receptor-based products to novel checkpoint immunomodulators and small molecules. BioNTech’s approach is validated by five top-tier corporate partnerships with Genentech, Genmab, Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi and Bayer Animal Health and over 60 publications in scientific journals, including five publications in Nature. Founded in 2008, BioNTech’s financial shareholders include the Struengmann Family Office as its majority shareholder, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Invus, Janus Henderson Investors, MIG Fonds, Redmile Group, Salvia and several European family offices.
 
 
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Dr. Steffen Panzner     Managing Director       Lipocalyx GmbH
Weinbergweg 23          06120 Halle
T +49 345 55 59 845   M +49 172 370 4810   www.lipocalyx.de