Das Projekt beinhaltet die Entwicklung von personalisierten Therapien für Betroffene mit seltenen NME, bei denen bisher Behandlungsmöglichkeiten fehlen. Zu den Patient:innen gehören auch Kinder und junge Erwachsene, die bislang keine Aussicht auf Heilung oder zumindest auf Linderung der Erkrankung hatten. Für sie sollen neue therapeutische Ansätze entwickelt werden, die im Sinne eines “Bench-to-Bedside”-Prinzips (aus dem Labor an das Krankenbett) direkt in individuelle Heilversuche überführt werden können. Dabei kommen sogenannte Omics-Technologien sowie Bioinformatik inkl. Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) zum Einsatz, um therapeutisch relevante Krankheitsmechanismen zu identifizieren und in die klinische Anwendung zu überführen.

Ausgangspunkt für diesen Ansatz sind die Patient:innenauswahl, die Analyse von  Hautbiopsien und die nachfolgende Phänotypisierung (Klassifizierung des Erscheinungsbildes) der gewonnenen Hautzellen (genauer: Fibroblasten). Diese Phänotypisierung, die von Wissenschaftler:innen in Düsseldorf, Bochum und Essen durchgeführt wird, wird zum Verständnis der zugrunde liegenden Eigenschaften dieser Zellen führen. Da Hautzellen dieselben genetischen Informationen wie Muskelzellen tragen, lassen sich ihre krankheitsverursachenden Veränderungen mit Omics-

Technologien untersuchen. Omics bezeichnet die gesamtheitliche Charakterisierung unter anderem aller Gene, Proteine oder Metabolite (Stoffwechselprodukte). Omics-Daten liefern einen wichtigen Ansatzpunkt in der personalisierten Medizin, da sie Aufschluss über individuelle Krankheitsvorgänge und mögliche Therapieansätze geben. Die Firma Singleron wird die zugrunde liegenden Genaktivitäten (sogenannte Transkriptomanalysen) durchführen, während ISAS-Forschende die entsprechenden Proteine und Stoffwechselprodukte auf Basis speziell entwickelter Massenspektrometrie-Verfahren analysieren werden.

 Suche nach bereits bekannten und unbekannten Arzneimittelwirkstoffen

Die gewonnenen Omics-Daten werden Bioinformatiker:innen am ISAS anschließend mithilfe von KI auswerten und mit Datenbanken zu vorhandenen Arzneimittelwirkstoffen abgleichen. Das Ziel dieser Analysen ist es, geeignete, bereits bekannte Wirkstoffe zu finden, mit denen sich die im ersten Schritt identifizierten fehlregulierten zellulären Prozesse bei NME adressieren lassen – und die damit für die Behandlung der Patient:innen infrage kommen können. Außerdem wird das Lead Discovery Center nach weiteren potenziell wirksamen Substanzen suchen. Sowohl die neuen, als auch bereits bekannten Wirkstoffe werden anschließend im Labor an den gewonnenen Fibroblasten getestet. In einem weiteren Schritt werden die Wissenschaftler:innen die Relevanz der fehlregulierten zellulären Prozesse in Nerven- und Muskelzellen prüfen. Erfolgversprechende Substanzen sollen danach in den Kliniken direkt für eine personalisierte Behandlung in individuellen Heilversuchen in den Patient:innen eingesetzt werden.

Insgesamt hat das Konsortium aus Kliniker:innen, Grundlagenwissenschaftler:innen und Bioinformatiker:innen bei diesem Forschungsprojekt sowohl den medizinischen, als auch den gesellschaftlichen Nutzen im Fokus. Eine verbesserte Lebensqualität der NME-Patient:innen durch neue personalisierte Therapien wirkt sich nicht nur positiv auf die einzelnen Betroffenen, sondern auch auf ihre Familien und das gesamte gesellschaftliche Umfeld aus.

Übersicht der Projektpartner

Unter der Leitung von Prof. Dr. Tobias Ruck von der Universitätsmedizin Düsseldorf vereint das Konsortium führende medizinische Forschungsinstitutionen und Industrieunternehmen. Dieser synergistische neuartige Ansatz ermöglicht innovative Therapiestrategien zur schnelleren Diagnostik und Behandlung von NME. Zentral für diese Ziele ist eine intensive Zusammenarbeit der Projektpartner:innen:

• Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Klinik für Neurologie
• Universitätsmedizin Essen, Abteilung für Neuropädiatrie
• BG Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum
• Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS e.V.
• Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), Dortmund
• Singleron Biotechnologies GmbH, Köln

Weitere Informationen: b2b-rare.de

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Über die Klinik für Neurologie des Universitätsklinikums Düsseldorf

In der Klinik für Neurologie des Universitätsklinikums Düsseldorf (Klinikleitung: Prof. Dr. med. Dr. rer. nat. Sven Meuth; Stellvertretung: Prof. Dr. med. Tobias Ruck) wird das gesamte Spektrum neurologischer Erkrankungen bei Erwachsenen ab 18 Jahren diagnostiziert und behandelt. Insgesamt werden in der Klinik für Neurologie jährlich ca. 15000 Patient:innen stationär und ambulant behandelt (ca. 2000-2500 Patient:innen davon mit neuromuskulären Krankheitsbildern). Die Klinik ist Teil des Neuromuskulären Zentrums Nordrhein. Zudem ist die Klinik für Neurologie ein zertifiziertes Myasthenie-Zentrum. In der Klinik wird das Konzept einer engen Vernetzung von Patient:innenversorgung, klinischer Forschung und Grundlagenwissenschaft verfolgt. Das Team möchte, dadurch die Ursachen neurologischer Erkrankungen besser verstehen und neue Therapiemöglichkeiten entwickeln. Die intensive Einbindung in internationale Studien gibt die Möglichkeit, Patient:innen   Zugang zu neuesten innovativen Therapien zu verschaffen.

Weitere Informationen: www.uniklinik-duesseldorf.de

Über die Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik des BG-Universitätsklinikums Bergmannsheil

Die Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik des BG-Universitätsklinikums Bergmannsheil (Interimsleitung Prof. Dr. med. Matthias Vorgerd) befasst sich neben der klinischen Versorgung sämtlicher neurologischer Erkrankungen von Patient:innen ab einem Alter von 18 Jahren mit einem breiten Spektrum klinischer und grundlagenwissenschaftlicher Forschung. Die Klinik ist Teil des Muskelzentrums Ruhrgebiet und von der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Muskelkranke e.V. (DGM) zertifiziertes Neuromuskuläres Zentrum. Sie ist an verschiedenen nationalen und internationalen Studien beteiligt. Zudem verfügt die Klinik über ein eigenes neuromuskuläres Labor, wo diagnostische und wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen am entnommenen Skelettmuskel, Nerven und Haut durchgeführt werden.  

Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Erforschung von neuromuskulären Erkrankungen (NME), die sich vor allem auf die Untersuchung von Muskel-, Nerven- und Hautbiopsien stützt. Die Forschungsaktivitäten auf dem Gebiet der NME werden durch das Heimer Institut für Muskelforschung gefördert, welches in die Organisationstruktur der Neurologischen Klinik eingeordnet ist. Diese enge Vernetzung von klinischer Arbeit, spezialisierter Labordiagnostik und grundlagenwissenschaftlicher Forschung soll zur Entwicklung neuer Behandlungsmöglichkeiten beitragen.

Über die Abteilung für Neuropädiatrie der Universitätsmedizin Essen AöR

Die Abteilung für Neuropädiatrie beschäftigt sich neben der routinediagnostischen Analyse der Muskulatur von Patient:innen auch mit der Erforschung der molekularen Ursachen der jeweiligen Krankheitsbilder. Dazu zählen die Identifikation neuer Gene, sowie die Analyse der biochemischen Ursachen neurodegenerativer und muskulärer Erkrankungen. Die Forschungsaktivitäten des neuromuskulären Labors werden hierbei durch Herrn PD Dr. rer. Nat. Andreas Roos (Adjunct Professor der University of Ottawa) und Frau Prof. Dr. med. Ulrike Schara-Schmidt geleitet. Forschungsinteressen des Muskellabors liegen auf der Identifikation von Pathomechanismen und Biomarkern für neuromuskuläre Erkrankungen mit einem ausgesprochenen Fokus auf die Nutzung von Biomaterial. Dabei steht auch die Nutzung von Biomaterialien, welche minimal-invasive gewonnen werden können, im Fokus.

Im Rahmen von translationalen Prozessen ist das neuromuskuläre Labor Bestandteil zahlreicher nationaler und internationaler Studien (clinicaltrials.gov) sowie an übergreifenden nationalen und internationalen Studien zur Genotyp-Phänotyp Korrelationen beteiligt.

Über das Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS e.V. –

Das Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V. entwickelt leistungsfähige Analyseverfahren für die Gesundheitsforschung. Mit seinen Innovationen trägt es dazu bei, die Prävention, Frühdiagnose und Therapie von Erkrankungen zu verbessern. Ziel des Instituts ist es, die personalisierte Therapie voranzutreiben. Dafür kombiniert das ISAS das Wissen aus Chemie, Biologie, Medizin, Pharmakologie, Physik und Informatik. Das Institut kooperiert mit nationalen und internationalen Partnern aus der Wissenschaft und Industrie.

Weitere Informationen: www.isas.de

Über die Singleron Biotechnologies GmbH

Singleron Biotechnologies fördert die Präzisionsmedizin und die menschliche Gesundheit durch wegweisende Lösungen zur Analyse von Einzelzell-Multi-Omics. Das aktuelle Produktportfolio umfasst Hochdurchsatzgeräte für die automatisierte Verarbeitung von Einzelzellen und Gewebedissoziation, Reagenzien, Bioinformatik-Software sowie eine umfassende Wissensdatenbank für Einzelzellen.

Gegründet im Jahr 2018, ist Singleron weltweit tätig und verfügt über Büros, Labore und Produktionsstätten in Deutschland, Singapur, China und den USA. Die Produkte des Unternehmens werden in über 3000 Laboren in Krankenhäusern, Forschungsinstituten und Pharmaunternehmen in mehr als 20 Ländern eingesetzt.

Weitere Informationen: www.singleron.bio. Folgen Sie uns auf LinkedIn für aktuelle Updates.

Über die Lead Discovery Center GmbH

Die Lead Discovery Center GmbH wurde 2008 von der Technologietransfer-Organisation Max-Planck-Innovation gegründet, um das Potenzial exzellenter Grundlagenforschung für die Entwicklung neuer, dringend benötigter Medikamente besser zu nutzen. LDC nimmt vielversprechende Projekte aus der akademischen Forschung auf und entwickelt sie typischerweise weiter bis zu pharmazeutischen Leitstrukturen (Proof-of-Concept in Modellsystemen) oder bis zu präklinischen Kandidaten. In enger Zusammenarbeit mit führenden Partnern aus der akademischen Forschung und Industrie entwickelt LDC ein umfangreiches Portfolio an Projekten im Bereich niedermolekularer Wirkstoffe sowie therapeutische Antikörper mit außergewöhnlich hohem medizinischem und kommerziellem Potenzial.

LDC unterhält eine enge Partnerschaft mit der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft und dem KHAN Technology Transfer Funds I + II (KHAN-I, -II). Es hat weltweit zahlreiche Kooperationen mit verschiedenen Organisationen geschlossen, u.a. AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Qurient, invIOs, Cumulus Oncology, Nodus Oncology, JT Pharmaceuticals, KinSea AS und den Helmholtz-Zentren, für Infektionsforschung (HZI) und dem Deutschen Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ). Das LDC arbeitet außerdem mit führenden akademischen Wirkstoffforschungszentren und Investoren zusammen, um Firmengründungen zu unterstützen.

Weitere Informationen: www.lead-discovery.de

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Scope of Collaboration

Antibody-based inhibitors have gained  relevance in the field of drug discovery due to their exceptional affinity, selectivity and physicochemical properties. Within this collaboration, Icosagen will generate, identify, and discover potent antibodies against innovative and therapeutically relevant targets, supplying them to LDC for further development.

Utilizing its proprietary technology, Icosagen will produce the proteins of interest and enhance their display on the surface of virus-like particles, which serve as vehicles for the production of antibodies with affinity for the targets. Subsequently, an extensive library will be established to facilitate the selection of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies, which will undergo further analysis at LDC through a streamlined process of high-throughput screening. This partnership highlights Icosagen’s capability to scale its proprietary platforms and synergize effectively with LDC’s workflow.

“Partnering with LDC will further help expand the opportunities for antibody therapeutics, especially in the challenging field of GPCR-targeted treatments” said professor Mart Ustav, CEO of Icosagen. “This will not only highlight our technological expertise but also perfectly aligns with our mission to transform scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments.”

“We are excited to partner up with Icosagen, a competent and highly experienced player in the field of antibody research” remarked Bert Klebl, CEO and CSO of LDC. “This project will greatly benefit from Icosagen’s expertise and state-of-the-art capabilities as we pursue our shared goal: the development of novel therapeutics that can make a meaningful difference in healthcare.”

Future Prospects

LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential. The partnership between Icosagen and LDC holds promise in advancing targeted therapeutics, with the potential to revolutionize treatment approaches and improve outcomes for patients worldwide. The successful development of these monoclonal antibodies is anticipated to significantly advance the understanding and treatment of diseases.

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About Icosagen

Icosagen is a renowned biotech company with over 20 years of experience in pioneering antibody research and production. With a strong commitment to innovation, Icosagen has developed a range of proprietary platforms for the efficient discovery, development and manufacturing of high-quality antibodies, serving the global research community and pharmaceutical industry.

Further information available at: www.icosagen.com

About LDC

Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC) was established in 2008 by the technology transfer organization Max Planck Innovation, as a novel approach to capitalize on the potential of excellent basic research for the discovery of new therapies for diseases with high medical need. LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential.

LDC sustains a long-term partnership with the Max Planck Society and its institutes as well as with KHAN-I, and has formed alliances with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Qurient, InvIOS, Novo Nordisk, Cumulus Oncology, Nodus Oncology, JT Pharmaceuticals, KinSea Lead Discovery AS, HLB Pharma, the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, e.g. In addition, LDC also works with leading translational drug discovery centers and with various investors to provide its assets for company creation.

Further information available at: www.lead-discovery.de

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Contact:

Lead Discovery Center GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Straße 15
44227 Dortmund, Germany
pr@lead-discovery.de
www.lead-discovery.de

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Tromsø, Norway, and Dortmund, Germany – April 25th, 2024. KinSea Lead Discovery AS, a biopharmaceutical start-up pioneering the use of marine bioactives for the treatment of human diseases, announces the successful first closing of its seed financing round. It includes an equity investment from KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I GmbH & Co KG (KHAN-I), an early-stage life sciences venture fund based in Germany, and welcomes the new investor Berners AS, a North Norwegian investment company. A year ago, KinSea had already secured a convertible loan from KHAN-I, which was recently converted into shares.

The financing enables the company to further develop its lead program, a FLT3 kinase inhibitor based on unique chemistry from marine sources, towards preclinical and clinical testing. Data from in vivo proof-of-concept studies suggest superior properties over existing FLT3 inhibitors, including potential broad activity against known drug-induced and drug-resistant FLT3 mutations, improved selectivity, and outstanding in vivo potency. The program originates from the successful collaboration of the founding partners, Arctic University of Norway (UiT), University of Bergen (UiB), Norinnova, and Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC).

‘We are grateful for the continued confidence and support from KHAN-I, and delighted to welcome Berners AS on board’, says Jeanette Hammer Andersen, CEO of KinSea. ‘This first closing validates the transformative potential of our approach. We are very committed to take our FLT3 inhibitors through the next stages of drug discovery and development in order to provide entirely new treatment options for AML patients that are safer and more effective’.

KinSea also plans to gradually expand its drug discovery pipeline and establish a diversified portfolio of high-potential drug candidates based on novel chemical scaffolds from the Arctic Ocean for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

‘We are excited to reaffirm our commitment to KinSea and its groundbreaking work in the field of marine-derived therapeutics. The team has made significant progress over the last year, and we are convinced that their unique approach and capable team will continue to drive the maturation and expansion of their pipeline, and eventually make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives, in particular with regard to urgently needed, improved therapies for AML patients’, comments Bert Klebl, Managing Director of KHAN-I.

Mats Sæverud, CEO of Berners AS, adds: ‘In KinSea, we found an ambitious startup company that wants to make an important impact by employing natural products from the Arctic Ocean. The KinSea team has bold visions, scalable solutions, excellent expertise and skills, and fits well with Berners´ ambitions.’

KinSea has already started discussions with further investors for a second and final closing.

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Contact
Lead Discovery Center GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Straße 15
44227 Dortmund
Germany
Phone: +49 231 97 42 70 00
Mail: pr@lead-discovery.de

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About KHAN-I

KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I GmbH & Co KG (KHAN-I) is an early-stage life sciences venture fund with €70 million under management. Our mission is to create value through cooperative drug development partnerships with academic innovators in Europe. KHAN-I focuses on first-in-class therapies for attractive markets with a high unmet medical need. The fund is managed by Khanu Management GmbH, an experienced team of professionals with proven track records in early-stage drug development and academic spin-offs as well as pharma licensing and partnering. KHAN-I received an investment from the European Investment Fund (EIF) with the support of InnovFin Equity, and with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020 Financial Instruments and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (“EFSI”) under the Investment Plan for Europe. KHANI is also supported by Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (AWS with funds provided by the Austrian

Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and the Austrian Foundation for Research, Technology, and Development), Max Planck Foundation, and Thyssen’sche Handelsgesellschaft mbH. In addition, KHAN-I sustains a preferred partnership with the Max-Planck Society (Max-Planck Gesellschaft e.V.).

Further information at www.khanu.de

About Berners AS

Berners AS is a newly established, privately owned investment company, based in Tromsø, Norway. Through investments and active ownership, Berners will contribute to the development of profitable and sustainable businesses, especially within the seafood and marine sector. We aim to be a supporter of the development of brands and competence clusters in Northern Norway. Our investment strategy is based on our knowledge and love for the coast and the sea, and the opportunities that exist there. Berners is owned by Triko AS (80%) and Larren Invest AS (20%).

About Norinnova

Norinnova is one of Northern Norway’s most competent and experienced agencies for research commercialization. Norinnova connects researchers, start-up environments, companies and commercial actors to develop and utilize the region’s innovation power. For more than 30 years, Norinnova has worked closely with researchers and leading research communities in Northern Norway to harness the power of innovation in this region. This collaboration has contributed to the creation of brand-new businesses and has reinforced existing companies through new products and services. Norinnova secures rights, helps provide funding, investigates market potential, finds relevant partners, and contributes so that the scientists can get their product or service to the market.

Further information available at: www.norinnova.no

About LDC

Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC) was established in 2008 by the technology transfer organization Max Planck Innovation, as a novel approach to capitalize on the potential of excellent basic research for the discovery of new therapies for diseases with high medical need. LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential.

LDC sustains a long-term partnership with the Max Planck Society and its institutes as well as with KHAN-I, and has formed alliances with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Qurient, InvIOS, Novo Nordisk, Cumulus Oncology, Nodus Oncology, JT Pharmaceuticals, KinSea Lead Discovery AS, HLB Pharma, the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, e.g. In addition, LDC also works with leading translational drug discovery centers and with various investors to provide its assets for company creation.

Further information available at: www.lead-discovery.de

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Project will receive €20 million in funding from the BMBF

Max Planck Innovation GmbH, the technology transfer agency of the Max Planck Society (MPG), announces today that its concept for a novel Drug Discovery and Development Center (DDC) will receive €20 million in funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through its initiative “BioPharma – The strategy competition for medicine of the future”. The DDC was selected as one of three winners that were presented today in Berlin by Frieder Meyer-Krahmer, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research.

The DDC was jointly developed by Max Planck Innovation and Inventive Capital, a London-based financial services firm, as a novel approach to advance findings from excellent basic research into the development of novel medicines. It comprises two independent legal entities: the Lead Discovery Center (LDC) and a Development Company (DevCo).

The LDC, which has already started operations, will take on innovative research projects that have outstanding medical and commercial prospects but are not yet mature enough to attract professional co-development partners from industry. The LDC team will advance these projects throughout the drug discovery process up to pharmaceutical leads with proof-of-concept in animal models. By the end of this year, the LDC will be working on six projects, spanning a broad range of indications including cancer and diabetes.

The DevCo, which is expected to start operations in the course of 2009, can take leads from the LDC into subsequent drug development stages and initiate clinical studies in humans. Both companies – the LDC and the DevCo – will be staffed with industry-experienced scientists, project managers and drug developers to ensure that drug discovery and development is fully in line with international pharma standards. Thus, the DDC is set to deliver highly innovative and commercially attractive drug candidates that meet the strong demand of industry, physicians and patients for novel medicines.

“The DDC represents an entirely novel approach to technology transfer in Germany”, Jörn Erselius, CEO of Max Planck Innovation comments. “It is unique that a public research organization supports the set up of fully integrated drug discovery and development units and invests substantially into the discovery stage of high potential projects. The fact that the DDC was selected as a winner from a group of highly competitive project proposals validates our approach and highlights the excellence of the concept.”

“Moreover, with the BMBF funding, we will be able to build a pipeline of drug discovery and development projects that is sufficiently broad and diversified to ensure the DDC’s sustained success.” says Matthias Stein-Gerlach, DDC Project Leader at Max Planck Innovation. “Initial LDC projects are sourced from Max Planck Institutes. But in a second step, we are open to take on projects from various sources: universities, research organizations or industry. We are confident, that the DDC will soon become a new role model for highly efficient and professional cooperation between public research institutes and the pharmaceutical industry.”

The “BioPharma strategy competition for medicine of the future” is part of the BMBF’s “Pharmaceuticals Initiative for Germany” which aims to close the gaps in the value-added chain of drug development and strengthen R&D work on new medicines in Germany. The competition received a total of 37 applications, 10 of which reached the final round. Three of those were announced today as winners.

Notes to editors

About Max Planck Innovation

Max Planck Innovation advises and supports scientists of the Max Planck Society in evaluating inventions and filing patent applications. Max Planck Innovation markets patents and technologies to industry and coaches founders of new companies based on research results from Max Planck Institutes.

Every year, Max Planck Innovation evaluates about 150 inventions, of which about half lead to the filing of a patent application. Since 2000, Max Planck Innovation advised more than 35 spin-offs, closed more than 700 license deals and generated proceeds of more than 130 million Euros for inventors, institutes and the Max Planck Society. As a result, Max Planck Innovation is among the world\’s most successful technology transfer organizations. In June 2008, it was honoured for outstanding achievement in developing technology transfer and licensing with the IPTEC International Technology Transfer Award.

Max Planck Innovation was founded in 1970 as Garching Instrumente GmbH and operated under the name of Garching Innovation from 1993 to 2006.

Further information at: www.max-planck-innovation.de

About the Lead Discovery Center (LDC)

The Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC) was jointly developed by Max Planck Innovation and the Max Planck Society as a novel approach to advance findings from excellent basic research into the development of novel medicines. With a world-class team of drug discovery experts and seasoned managers, the LDC offers the full scope of drug discovery services – from target to lead – according to the highest industry standards. As an independent enterprise with an entrepreneurial outlook, it collaborates with research institutions, universities and industry to transform promising and early-stage projects into attractive in-licensing or co-development opportunities: pharmaceutical leads with initial proof-of-concept in animals that meet the increasing need for novel therapeutic agents.

Further information at: www.lead-discovery.de

About Inventive Capital

Inventive Capital Advisors LLP is an international financial services firm, which specializes in structuring and financing new venture capital funds. Inventive Capital develops innovative investment strategies, which capitalize on the proprietary deal flow and expertise found inside large corporations and research organizations. Inventive Capital was founded in 2005, is based in London, UK and Basel, Switzerland and develops alternative investment solutions in the life-science, ICT and energy sectors.

Contacts for Max Planck Innovation:

Dr Matthias Stein-Gerlach, Project Leader DDC

Tel: + 49 89 29 09 19-18, Email: stein-gerlach@max-planck-innovation.de

or

Dr Jörn Erselius, Managing Director

Tel: + 49 89 29 09 19-0, Email: erselius@max-planck-innovation.de

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Supporting the development of novel medicines in Germany

Max Planck Innovation GmbH, the technology transfer agency of the Max Planck Society, announces today the opening of its new subsidiary, the Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC). It will be based in Dortmund, Germany, and intends to employ a staff of 15-20 experienced drug discovery scientists, project managers, and technical assistants by the end of 2008.

As an independent enterprise with an entrepreneurial outlook, it will take on promising projects from public research and advance them through the drug discovery process up to pharmaceutical leads suited for direct application in preclinical and clinical studies. It will focus on widespread diseases including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular and other conditions where current therapies have proven insufficient. Initial projects will be sourced from Max Planck institutes, but the LDC remains open to findings from other public research organizations or industry.

“We have been working intensely with industry experts and investors to come up with a new, commercially viable concept to support the development of novel medicines in Germany”, Matthias Stein-Gerlach, LDC Project Leader at Max Planck Innovation comments. “It is with great confidence that we now open the LDC and hand it over to the excellent starting team we have been able to assemble over the last months.”

LDC merges the fields of biology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology under the umbrella of professional project management. Using novel therapeutic targets arising from basic research, the LDC team will first identify chemical substances with the desired inhibiting or modulating effect, and then optimize these agents to create chemical leads for pharmaceutical use. Typical LDC development efforts will yield pharmacological agents that fulfill all the criteria of drug candidates attractive to the biopharmaceutical industry for in-licensing or co-development. Until LDC can generate its own revenues from agreements with industry, various sources, including project based funding from the Max Planck Society, government subsidies, and donations will finance the LDC, ensuring the company’s sustained viability.

“In this way, the LDC provides for a new level of quality in early drug development,” Bert Klebl, CEO of the LDC says. “For the first time, we will be able to select the most promising findings from public research and develop them in line with international industry standards up to initial proof-of-concept without being limited by typical investment rules of capital markets. Because regular investment cycles are comparatively short and standard tools for the evaluation of risks and returns are inapplicable to early stages, many compelling projects have run out of money in recent years – regardless of their medical and commercial opportunity. The new, sustainable approach followed by the LDC will help overcome the bottle-neck in drug development, and I am excited to be part of it.”

The LDC forms an essential part of Max Planck Innovation’s Drug Development Center (DDC) that was selected for the final round of the “BioPharma strategy competition for medicine of the future”, a support program of the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Notes to editors

About Max Planck Innovation

Max Planck Innovation advises and supports scientists of the Max Planck Society in evaluating inventions and filing patent applications. Max Planck Innovation markets patents and technologies to industry and coaches founders of new companies based on research results from Max Planck Institutes.

Every year, Max Planck Innovation evaluates about 150 inventions, of which about half lead to the filing of a patent application. Since 2000, Max Planck Innovation advised about 35 spin-offs, closed more than 700 license deals and generated proceeds of more than 130 million Euros for inventors, institutes and the Max Planck Society. As a result, Max Planck Innovation is among the world\’s most successful technology transfer organizations.

Max Planck Innovation was founded in 1970 as Garching Instrumente GmbH and operated under the name of Garching Innovation from 1993 to 2006.

Contacts for Max Planck Innovation

Dr Matthias Stein-Gerlach, LDC Project Leader

Tel: + 49 89 29 09 19-18, Email: stein-gerlach@max-planck-innovation.de

or

Dr Jörn Erselius, Managing Director

Tel: +49 89 29 09 19-0, Email: erselius@max-planck-innovation.de

Contact for the Lead Discovery Center

Dr Bert Klebl, Managing Director LDC

Tel: +49 231 97 42-7000, Email: info@lead-discovery.de

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Max Planck Innovation GmbH, the technology transfer agency of the Max Planck Society, announces today that its concept for a novel Drug Discovery Center (DDC) has reached the final round of the “BioPharma – strategy competition for medicine of the future “, a support program of the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

The DDC was jointly developed by Max Planck Innovation and Inventive Capital, a London-based financial services firm , as a new approach to help translate research findings into novel medicines. With integrated know-how in the fields of biology, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, it will take on promising inventions emanating from public research and advance them through the drug discovery process up to proof-of-concept in relevant animal models. From that stage on, it is envisaged that the DDC team takes over project management for preclinical and clinical development up to phase-II trials. In this way, the DDC will be able to move early research projects up the value chain and transform them into highly attractive in-licensing and co-development opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry.

“At the Max Planck Institutes, ideas flourish that have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of many diseases,” Jörn Erselius, Managing Director of Max Planck Innovation, comments. “But during our 30 years of history as mediator between science and industry, we have learnt that only few of them make it into advanced development stages because they are usually just too early to attract a professional development partner from industry.”

In close collaboration with pharmaceutical industry experts and venture capitalists, the DDC was deliberately designed to bridge this “translational gap”. Moreover, it will be led by a management team with a strong track record in drug discovery and development. Working processes, data management and quality control will be fully compatible with international industry standards and enable a smooth transition of DDC projects into a partner’s drug development environment.

“We are confident, that the DDC will soon become a premier source of highly innovative, advanced drug candidates. These cannot only help pharma companies sustain their pipelines but also provide new hope to patients who suffer from diseases that cannot sufficiently be treated so far,” Matthias Stein-Gerlach, Project Leader DDC at Max-Planck Innovation concludes.

The “BioPharma strategy competition for medicine of the future ” is part of the BMBF’s “Pharmaceuticals Initiative for Germany” which aims to close the gaps in the value-added chain of drug development and strengthen R&D work on new medicines in Germany. 10 projects out of 37 applications have now been selected for the final round and will receive funding for the further development of their concepts over the next four months. For the most promising concepts thereof, the BMBF has earmarked an overall funding of 100 million Euros over the next 5 years.

Notes to editors

About Max Planck Innovation

Max Planck Innovation advises and supports scientists of the Max Planck Society in evaluating inventions and filing patent applications. Max Planck Innovation markets patents and technologies to industry and coaches founders of new companies based on research results from Max Planck Institutes.

Every year, Max Planck Innovation evaluates about 150 inventions, of which about half lead to the filing of a patent application. Since 2000, Max Planck Innovation advised 40 spin-offs, closed more than 700 license deals and generated proceeds of more than 140 million Euros for inventors, institutes and the Max Planck Society. As a result, Max Planck Innovation is among the world’s most successful technology transfer organizations.

Max Planck Innovation was founded in 1970 as Garching Instrumente GmbH and operated under the name of Garching Innovation from 1993 to 2006.

About Inventive Capital

Inventive Capital Advisors LLP is an international financial services firm, which specialises in structuring and financing new venture capital funds. Inventive Capital develops innovative investment strategies, which capitalise on the proprietary deal flow and expertise found inside large corporations and research organisations.

Inventive Capital was founded in 2005, is based in London, UK and Basel, Switzerland and develops alternative investment solutions in the life-science, ICT and energy sectors.

Contacts for Max Planck Innovation

Dr Matthias Stein-Gerlach, Project Leader DDC

Tel: + 49 89 29 09 19-18, Email: stein-gerlach@max-planck-innovation.de

or

Dr Jörn Erselius, Managing Director

Tel: + 49 89 29 09 19-0, Email: erselius@max-planck-innovation.de

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