Last checked at 4 Apr 2016 08:57
Onzima Ventures PLC
("Onzima" or the "Company")
Investee company N4 Pharma announces messenger RNA vaccine program
Onzima is pleased to announce that N4 Pharma Limited ("N4 Pharma") its 49%-owned investee company, has extended its relationship with the University of Queensland ("Uniquest") to include the exclusive global rights to commercialise their nano particle vaccine delivery system for messenger RNA (mRNA) particles. This adds to the rights it already has for plasmid DNA and certain subunit vaccines.
Under this agreement N4 Pharma will undertake further research and experimentation with Uniquest to develop a strong in-vitro data package demonstrating the ability of these vectors to achieve high protective loading of pDNA and mRNA and demonstrate their strong transfection capability.
N4 Pharma CEO Nigel Theobald commented:
"mRNA is an exciting area of therapeutic treatment in oncology and early encouraging results with our plasmid DNA research show strong pDNA loading onto the silica vesicle and excellent transfection being achieved.
Over the next few months we will continue to undertake experiments to demonstrate the capability of our vectors for both pDNA and mRNA, publishing the data when we can with a view to looking to engage with potential partners in the second half of 2016 to either work with their own particles or potentially acquire the rights to particles ourselves which we can then seek to take forward using these vectors.
The recent investment by Onzima Ventures has allowed us to develop our intellectual property portfolio and create two extremely strong drug delivery/reformulation platforms, one for small molecules and another for vaccines and oncology treatments. Our aim now is to develop strong commercial propositions using our IP and seek partnerships and funds to take forward specific projects."
For further information please contact:
Onzima Ventures PLC Tel: +44 (0) 1622 717700
Gavin Burnell, Luke Cairns
Nominated Adviser
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP Tel: +44 (0) 20 7148 7900
Sandy Jamieson, Liam Murray
Broker
Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 0930
Guy Miller, Lucy Williams