Partners
Merck Serono
In June 2008 Bionomics signed a Development and Licensing Agreement with Merck Serono on Bionomics' Kv1.3 blocker program, under which Merck Serono would develop new treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune conditions based on compounds from Bionomics' Kv1.3 program. In addition to the upfront payment Bionomics will receive committed research funding. Merck Serono will fund all development activities, including clinical development. Bionomics may receive milestone payments of up to US$47 million for each compound selected by Merck Serono, based on successful development and commercialization. In addition, Bionomics will be eligible to receive undisclosed royalties on the net sales of licensed products.
For further information about Merck Serono visit www.merckserono.com
Cancer Therapeutics CRC
In February 2008 Bionomics was a founding member of the Cancer Therapeutics Cooperative Research Center, a consortium of leading Australian and international research institutes and commercial entities focused on cancer research. Structured as a public-private partnership, the Cancer Therapeutics CRC is the recipient of a AU$37.6 in funding from the Australian government, making it one of the largest partnerships of its kind in the world. Bionomics is collaborating with the Cancer CRC on a number of projects, including the development of small molecule inhibitors of BNO69, a proprietary drug target discovered by Bionomics' scientists. Bionomics retains rights to commercialise inhibitors of BNO69 discovered through the collaboration.
For further information about Cancer Therapeutics CRC visit www.cancercrc.com
Genmab A/S
Genmab is a world leader in the development of antibody-based therapeutics. Bionomics' partnership with Genmab was originally initiated in March 2002 as a research and development collaboration for the discovery of novel angiogenesis targets. This partnership was highly successful and led to the identification of over 150 novel genes that have potential as targets for the treatment of cancer.
In February 2006, the companies restructured the agreement such that Genmab will assume all future responsibility for development of eight angiogenesis targets in exchange for upfront fees, milestone payments and royalties to be paid to Bionomics.
For more information about Genmab, visit www.genmab.com
Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp)
In November 2005, Bionomics granted licenses to LabCorp to commercialise two proprietary epilepsy diagnostic tests. Under the deal, LabCorp obtained the rights to commercialise the SMEI diagnostic test (previously licensed to Athena Diagnostics and Genetic Technologies Ltd; see below). In addition, it became the first licensee for Bionomics' Benign Familial Seizures test. This second test permits the diagnosis of a second class of seizure disorders that strikes infants and young children. Bionomics received an upfront fee for rights to the test and receives a substantial royalty for each test sold.
LabCorp had annual sales in excess of US$3.0 billion in 2004 and is the second largest provider of diagnostic services in the US. Through its national network of 33 clinical laboratories and approximately 1,300 patient service centres, LabCorp provides clinical testing services to more than 220,000 physicians, government agencies, managed care organisations, hospitals, clinical labs, and pharmaceutical companies.
For more information about LabCorp, visit www.labcorp.com
Athena Diagnostics
In September 2004, Bionomics granted a license to Massachusetts-based Athena Diagnostics to market Bionomics' Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI) diagnostic test in North America and Japan. Athena is a specialist in diagnostic testing for neurological disorders and provides the gene-based SMEI test to over 5,000 neurologists.
Bionomics' diagnostic method is the first genetic test available to clinicians to allow them to distinguish SMEI from less serious forms of epilepsy. Early diagnosis should reduce the cost associated with current diagnostic procedures for SMEI and will enable doctors to implement appropriate treatment strategies, which it is hoped will reduce the high (18%) mortality rate associated with SMEI. Around 240,000 children in the United States may be candidates for the SMEI test.
For more information about Athena Diagnostics, visit www.athenadiagnostics.com
Genetic Technologies Limited
In November 2004, Bionomics formed a strategic alliance with Genetic Technologies Limited relating to commercialisation of new genetic tests for epilepsy. Under the strategic alliance, Bionomics granted to GTG worldwide testing and marketing rights, including exclusivity for Australia and New Zealand, to new epilepsy tests developed by Bionomics.
The first test to be launched under this programme is a test to identify cases of severe myoclonic epilepsy in infants (SMEI) - a serious form of epilepsy in children. The tests will be performed by GTG and will also be made available to the GENDIA network of international genetic testing laboratories, which will bring these tests to more than 70 countries around the world, including key markets in USA & Europe.
For more information about Genetic Technologies Limited, visit www.gtg.com.au
