VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 11, 2013) - Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SBM)(OTCQX:SRBCF)(FRANKFURT:ZSB) announced today it has signed a material transfer agreement (MTA) with French-based VitamFero, a veterinary healthcare company. VitamFero, a member of Genopole®, will test Sirona Biochem's proprietary biological preservation technology with a goal to extend the storage time of its live attenuated animal vaccines. VitamFero develops novel anti-parasite vaccines for veterinary healthcare, in particular, in partnership with Merial, Sanofi Group's Animal Health Division.
"By developing technology that can preserve biologics longer, we expand the possibilities for health practitioners to deliver services and solutions in human and animal health," said Neil Belenkie, Chief Executive Officer of Sirona Biochem. "We are pleased to collaborate with VitamFero and believe our synergistic collaboration can result in a benefit for both companies."
"Sirona Biochem is developing a unique class of biological preservation compounds that could help improve VitamFero's vaccine storage for a significantly longer period of time and could expand distribution capabilities," said Dr. Pascal Breton, VitamFero's Chief Executive Officer. "We are very pleased to be working with the innovative research team at Sirona Biochem."
VitamFero develops live and attenuated vaccines against various infectious diseases, especially against Apicomplexa parasites. VitamFero intends to build an effective protocol that, beyond their highly proven efficacy, extends the practicability of its anti-parasite vaccines. In the study, VitamFero will evaluate Sirona Biochem's synthetic preservation technology to optimize VitamFero's biopharmaceutical formulation and storage of its vaccines.
Using its proprietary chemistry technology, Sirona Biochem is developing biological preservation compounds to extend the life of stem cells, blood platelets, islets cells, tissues, organs and other biologics. By preserving these biologics, storage and transport times can be extended, such as in organ transplantation, thereby reducing or eliminating unnecessary disposal of valuable biological assets.
About VitamFero
VitamFero is a privately owned biotech company whose mission, founded on an innovative and patented technology (i.e. Toxo KO and Neo KO), is to create, develop, register and market novel anti-infectious vaccines, first against Apicomplexa parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis agent), Neospora caninum (neosporosis agent) and Cryptosporidium parvum (cryptosporidiosis agent). With headquarters in Evry - Genopole® (France) and laboratories in Tours (France), VitamFero is involved primarily in veterinary healthcare. For more information, visit www.vitamfero.com.
About Genopole®
The first French biopark dedicated to genetic research and biotechnology applied to health and the environment. Genopole® clusters 21 research laboratories, 73 biotechnology firms as well as educational facilities (Evry-Val-d'Essonne University). Its mission: to promote development of research in genomics, post-genomics and related sciences; technology transfer to industry; high level education in those fields; create and support biotechnology firms. For more information, visit www.genopole.fr.
About Sirona Biochem Corp.
Sirona Biochem is a biotechnology company developing diabetes therapeutics, skin depigmenting and anti-aging agents for cosmetic use, biological ingredients and cancer vaccine antigens. The company utilizes a proprietary chemistry technique to improve pharmaceutical properties of carbohydrate-based molecules. Sirona Biochem is the parent company of French-based biotechnology company, TFChem. For more information visit www.sironabiochem.com.
Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochem's forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochem's business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact Information:
Julie Jang
Director, Communications
604.282.6065
jjang@sironabiochem.com
www.sironabiochem.com