GlaxoSmithKline and AFFiRiS Sign an Exclusive Licence and Option Agreement for Therapeutic...

GlaxoSmithKline and AFFiRiS Sign an Exclusive Licence and Option Agreement for
Therapeutic Alzheimer's Disease Candidate Vaccines

VIENNA, Austria, October 23 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
S.A. (GSK) and AFFiRiS GmbH announced today the execution of a collaboration
agreement granting GSK exclusive rights to AFFiRiS's Alzheimer's disease
vaccine programmes, aimed at treating Alzheimer's by targeting beta-amyloid.
As part of the agreement GSK is acquiring exclusive rights to develop and
commercialise two Alzheimer's disease vaccine candidates that are based on
AFFiRiS AFFiTOPE technology and are currently in Phase I clinical
development. AFFiRiS is also granting GSK an exclusive option to develop and
commercialise alternative Alzheimer's disease vaccine candidates which are in
preclinical development.
Under the terms of the agreement, AFFiRiS will receive an up-front
payment of EUR 22.5 million (GBP17.5 million) and could be eligible for
future milestone payments and royalties. The total potential value of the
agreement could reach EUR 430 million (GBP334 million) in the event of full
commercial success of the candidate vaccines. This agreement is subject to
governmental authority approval.
Central to the deal is the AFFiRiS AFFiTOPE technology which allows the
design of proteins with very specific binding characteristics that are
ideally suited for the development of vaccines against disease-causing
"rogue" human proteins such as beta-amyloid which is central to the pathology
of Alzheimer's disease.
Commenting on the agreement, Walter Schmidt, co-founder and CEO of
AFFiRiS, stated: "We are pleased that we could secure GSK Biologicals, one of
the world's leading vaccine companies, in collaborating on the development
our Alzheimer's disease vaccine programs. This deal brings together two
companies with strong innovation, vaccine development and commercialisation
capabilities and experience."
Jean Stephenne, President and General Manager of GlaxoSmithKline
Biologicals, said "We are impressed with the AFFiRiS technology - combined
with our expertise in innovative adjuvant systems this collaboration will
improve our chance of success in the discovery of new treatments against this
major disease."
Frank Mattner, co-founder and CSO of AFFiRiS, added: "For the treatment
of chronic diseases, our AFFiTOPE technology has the potential to deliver
innovative vaccines capable of inducing immune responses, with the
possibility of beneficial therapeutic effects. We hope that this agreement
will ultimately deliver a therapeutic benefit to Alzheimer's patients."
Notes to Editors
About GSK GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the
quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live
longer. For company information, visit http://www.gsk.com.
About GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK
Biologicals) is a global vaccine company which has shown to be a leader in
innovation. The company is active in the fields of vaccine research,
development and production with over 30 vaccines approved for marketing and
20 more in development. Headquartered in Belgium, GSK Biologicals has 14
manufacturing sites strategically positioned around the globe. In 2007 GSK
Biologicals distributed 1.1 billion doses of vaccines to 169 countries in
both developed and the developing world - an average of 3 million doses a
day. GSK Biologicals employs over 9,000 people worldwide including more than
1,600 passionate scientists engaged in research aimed at discovering
innovative vaccines that contribute to the health and well-being of people of
all generations around the world.
About AFFiRiS AFFiRiS GmbH develops peptide-based vaccines for the
treatment of Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis and other diseases that
urgently require a medical solution. The company has established platform
technologies and has a worldwide patent portfolio covering their vaccine
candidates. The company employs 35 highly qualified members of staff on
600msquared of rented laboratory facilities at the Campus Vienna Biocenter
(http://www.affiris.com).
GlaxoSmithKline Enquiries:
UK Media enquiries: Philip Thomson, +44(0)20-8047-5502; Claire Brough,
+44(0)20-8047-5502; Alice Hunt, +44(0)20-8047-5502; Gwenan White,
+44(0)20-8047-5502

US Media enquiries: Nancy Pekarek, +1-919-483-2839; Mary Anne Rhyne,
+1-919-483-2839; Sarah Alspach, +1-215-751-7709

European Analyst/Investor enquiries: David Mawdsley, +44(0)20-8047-5564;
Sally Ferguson, +44(0)20-8047-5543; Gary Davies, +44(0)20-8047-5503

US Analyst/ Investor enquiries: Tom Curry, +1-215-751-5419

AFFiRiS GmbH Enquiries: Campus Vienna Biocenter 2, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Dr. Walter Schmidt +43-1-798-1575-10

Distribution: PR&D - Public Relations for Research & Education Campus
Vienna Biocenter 2 1030 Vienna Austria, T +43-1-505-70-44,
E contact@prd.at, W: http://www.prd.at

SOURCE AFFiRiS GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (GSK Biologicals)

GlaxoSmithKline Enquiries:, UK Media enquiries: Philip Thomson,
+44(0)20-8047-5502; Claire Brough, +44(0)20-8047-5502; Alice Hunt,
+44(0)20-8047-5502; Gwenan White, +44(0)20-8047-5502; US Media enquiries:
Nancy Pekarek, +1-919-483-2839; Mary Anne Rhyne, +1-919-483-2839; Sarah
Alspach, +1-215-751-7709; European Analyst/Investor enquiries: David Mawdsley,
+44(0)20-8047-5564; Sally Ferguson, +44(0)20-8047-5543; Gary Davies,
+44(0)20-8047-5503; US Analyst/ Investor enquiries: Tom Curry,
+1-215-751-5419; AFFiRiS GmbH Enquiries: Campus Vienna Biocenter 2, 1030
Vienna, Austria Dr. Walter Schmidt +43-1-798-1575-10; Distribution: PR&D -
Public Relations for Research & Education Campus Vienna Biocenter 2 1030
Vienna Austria T +43-1-505-70-44, E contact@prd.at