Biovitrum´s Project Portfolio within Obesity Advances

2006-08-30

Biovitrum Enters Clinical Trials with one Additional Candidate Drug

Biovitrum´s 5-HT6-receptor antagonist for the treatment of obesity advances into clinical Phase I trials. This candidate drug (BVT.74316) acts via a mechanism for the control of food intake by stimulating the sense of satiety in the brain. BVT.74316 has demonstrated a decrease in food intake and a reduction in body weight in animals in both short and long-term studies.
This first clinical study, with the objective to test safety and tolerability in both single-dose and repeated-dose administration was started in August 2006. In total, between 75 and 100 healthy volunteers may participate in the study, which is estimated to be completed during autumn 2006 with results available early next year.

- With the start of Phase I of our new unique candidate drug for the treatment of obesity Biovitrum has 5 projects in clinical trials within both common diseases and niche indications, says Anders Ullman, Senior Vice President R&D.

A description of the 5-HT6-receptor antagonist project, as well as of other R&D projects, is available on www.biovitrum.com under R&D/Research & development/Our Project Portfolio.

Obesity is the dominating course of type 2 diabetes and in addition is connected to a number of serious medical problems, which in turn may increase the risk for heart and circulation diseases, infarctions and early death. According to WHO, there is a rapid global increase in the number of people that suffer from obesity. The number is estimated to have increased with 100 million from 1995 to 2000 when close on as many as 300 million people were estimated to be obese. In spite of this large medical need there are only a few medicines for the treatment of obesity on the market. Two of these products are impaired by side effects that restrict their use. A third medicine, Acomplia®, which acts in the brain by reducing appetite, has just recently been approved for use within EU. Consequently, there is a lack of experience from a general use of drugs against obesity. The demand for additional medicines for the treatment of obesity continues to be great.

Biovitrum

Biovitrum is one of the largest biopharma companies in Europe. With operations in Sweden and in the UK Biovitrum conducts research and develops pharmaceuticals for unmet medical needs both for common diseases and conditions that affect smaller patient populations. Biovitrum focuses on drugs for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, inflammation and blood diseases as well as a number of well defined niche indications. Biovitrum develops and produces protein-based drugs on a contractual basis and markets a range of specialist pharmaceuticals primarily in the Nordic countries. Biovitrum has revenues of approximately USD 119 million and approximately 500 employees. For more information see www.biovitrum.com.

Contact Information

Anna Karin Källén

Vice President, Communications & IR

Biovitrum AB

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