The Burnet has developed relationships with a number of commercial partners for the further development of its IP.
These partners include:
Select Vaccines Ltd
Select Vaccines was established to develop and commercialise infectious disease, diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine technologies generated at the Burnet Institute. These technologies primarily emerged from the laboratory of Professor David Anderson and specifically included various diagnostic tests for hepatitis and a vaccine platform technology based on virus like particles (VLPs).
The relationship between the Burnet and Select involves an equity stake in the company and research funding.
The company has recently negotiated a collaboration and licensing agreement with the US company AVANT Immunotherapeutics for the development of up to three products based on Select’s proprietory VLP technology. The deal also involved an equity investment by AVANT in Select, two years of research funding for the development of influenza vaccines and the potential of $34 M milestone payments over time.
For more information on Select Vaccines please visit the website http://www.selectvaccines.com.au/
Prima BioMed Ltd
Prima BioMed Ltd originated from the commercial arm of the Austin Research Institute and became a separate vehicle to commercialise various technologies generated at the Institute. These technologies included a cancer vaccine based on the Institutes proprietary mannan adjuvant technology, an antibody against the cancer antigen Cripto 1, treatments for arthritis based on the Fc Receptor and a vaccine adjuvant based on nanoparticles.
Prima has since entered into a collaboration and development agreement with Medarex Inc for the humanization of anti-Cripto antibodies and negotiated a trade sale of the arthritis technologies to Trillium Therapeutics Inc.
The company has recently completed a phase II clinical trial of its mannan based vaccine CVacTM in ovarian cancer. The vaccine targets the cancer antigen MUC1 which is over-expressed in a number of cancers and is administered ex-vivo. The results exceeded expectations and the company is currently seeking capital to conduct a phase III trial.
For more information on Prima BioMed please visit the website http://www.primabiomed.com.au
SciVentures Ltd
In 2008 the Burnet Institute was successful in negotiating two separate deals with the venture capital investors SciVentures. These deals were each valued at $1M and involved the licensing and assignment of a number of Burnet patents to form two separate companies (see below). The deal structure involves an equity share for the Burnet in the companies and at least 18 months worth of research contracts.
- IgaVax Pty Ltd
IgAvax technology relates to a method of vaccination applying a carbohydrate polymer antigen complex to a mucosal membrane. In particular, the use of oxidized mannan as a novel adjuvant via a nasal spray that is able to attack disease causing agents (viruses or bacteria) at the sight of first attack, the mucosal system. - 4G Vaccines Pty Ltd
4G technology involves the generation of injectable vaccines against cancer based on the Burnet’s proprietary mannan adjuvant and mimic antigens.
For more information please contact Michael Kleinig michael.kleinig@pharmadesign.com.au
Trillium Therapeutics Inc
In December 2005 Prima completed a trade sale of its Arthron Pty Ltd subsidiary to Toronto based Trillium Therapeutics. All assets of the company were transferred including licenses for IP relating to the treatment of arthritis based on the Fc Receptor.
Trillium has since maintained the relationship with the Burnet Institute on this project and has sponsored a number of research contracts to further develop these technologies.
For more information on Trillium Therapeutics please see the website http://www.trilliumtherapeutics.com/