WuXi Biologics and Prima Signs MOU and Announces Strategic Development and Manufacturing Partnership

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Nov 22, 2016, 07:00 ET

SHANGHAI and SYDNEY, Nov. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics, a WuXi AppTec group company and a leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform company dedicated to expediting global biologics development, and Prima Biomed Ltd. (Prima), an ASX (PRR) and Nasdaq (PBMD) listed company developing IMP321, a recombinant soluble LAG-3 protein and other LAG-3 related products for use in oncology, announced today that a non-binding MOU was signed to form a strategic biologics development and manufacturing partnership.

Under the partnership, WuXi Biologics will be the exclusive clinical manufacturer for IMP321 for Prima worldwide, excluding any manufacturing for the supply of China, Macau, Taiwan and Hong Kong where rights are retained by Prima's development partner in China, Eddingpharm. WuXi Biologics will also be Prima's preferred partner to manufacture potential new products.

IMP321, a first-in-class soluble LAG-3 Ig fusion protein and an APC activator boosting T cell responses for cancer chemo-immunotherapy is currently in Phase II trials in Europe.

CEO of Prima BioMed, Mr. Marc Voigt said, "Securing the future supply of IMP321 is a key component of our commercial development strategy. WuXi Biologics have consistently delivered the highest quality materials for our clinical trials. This MOU further strengthens our strategic partnership."

"We are honored to play a critical role to enable biotech and pharma companies to realize commercialization via WuXi's innovative biomanufacturing network based on state-of-the-art disposable manufacturing technology," said Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, "WuXi Biologics is committed to producing the highest quality product to enable robust global supply of this potential biologics to patients worldwide."

About WuXi AppTec

WuXi AppTec is a leading global pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device open-access capability and technology platform company with global operations. As an innovation-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi AppTec provides a broad and integrated portfolio of services to help our worldwide customers and partners shorten the discovery and development time and lower the cost of drug and medical device R&D through cost-effective and efficient solutions. With its industry-leading capabilities in small molecule R&D and manufacturing, biologics R&D and manufacturing, cell therapy and gene therapy R&D and manufacturing, medical device testing, and molecular testing and genomics, WuXi platform is enabling more than 2,000 innovative collaborators from more than 30 countries to bring innovative healthcare products to patients, and to fulfill WuXi's dream that "every drug can be made and every disease can be treated." Please visit http://www.wuxiapptec.com

About WuXi Biologics

WuXi Biologics, a WuXi AppTec company, is a leading open-access technology capability and technology platform to enable anyone and any company to develop biologics. As a premier Contract Discovery, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), WuXi Biologics provides our worldwide clients with the necessary expertise, quality and capacities to develop biologic drugs from concept to commercialization. Along with our WuXi AppTec affiliates, we provide the world with the ONE true single-source approach that saves our clients critical time and money. Our company history and achievements demonstrate our commitment to providing a truly ONE-stop service offering and value proposition to our global clients. For more information on WuXi's Biologics services, please visit: http://www.wuxibiologics.com.

About Prima BioMed

Prima BioMed is a globally active biotechnology company that is striving to become a leader in the development of immunotherapeutic products for the treatment of cancer. Prima BioMed is dedicated to leveraging its technology and expertise to bring innovative treatment options to market for patients and to maximise value to shareholders.

Prima's current lead product is IMP321, based on the LAG-3 immune control mechanism which plays a vital role in the regulation of the T cell immune response. IMP321, which is a soluble LAG-3Ig fusion protein, is an APC activator boosting T cell responses. IMP321 is currently in a Phase II clinical trial as a chemoimmunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer termed AIPAC (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT 02614833) and in a Phase I combination therapy trial in metastatic melanoma termed TACTI-mel (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT 02676869). A number of additional LAG-3 products including antibodies for immune response modulation in autoimmunity and cancer are being developed by large pharmaceutical partners.

Prima BioMed is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, and on the NASDAQ in the US. For further information please visit www.primabiomed.com.au.

SOURCE WuXi AppTec