Press Detail





Biotest AG: Monoclonal antibody BT-061 shows potential in the indication multiple sclerosis

Biotest AG  / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

21.10.2010 10:24
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Monoclonal antibody BT-061 shows potential in the indication multiple
sclerosis

- Biotest generates positive pre-clinical data in the indication multiple
  sclerosis        
- Further development in this indication supported by the German Federal
  Ministry of Education and Research in the framework of the 'Neu²
  Konsortium'

Dreieich, 21. October 2010. Biotest has obtained positive pre-clinical data
indicating the potential of BT-061 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
(MS).
Current scientific publications by respected academic research groups show
that the regulatory T-cells in particular play a central part in the
development and progression of MS; impairment of their function in the
patient appears to be causally linked with the disease. The monoclonal
antibody BT-061 specifically activates regulatory T-cells. The pre-clinical
data that have now been obtained show that BT-061 reinforces the function
of regulatory T-cells derived from MS patients.

'We are very pleased that the data now available confirm our expectations
that the immunomodulatory mechanism of action of BT-061 has considerable
potential in the indication MS,' comments Dr. Frank Osterroth, director of
the Biotherapeutics Division at Biotest, on the data. 'Particularly in MS,
there is still a significant medical need for effective and better
tolerated and safe active agents despite modern approved products'.

Further pre-clinical analyses are now aimed at preparing for the clinical
trial of BT-061 in the indication MS. Evidence is to be sought on which
patient populations might respond particularly well to therapy with BT-061.
The analyses will be conducted in collaboration with leading academic study
groups working in this area.

To deal with this and other questions, Biotest has joined the 'New active
agents for neurological diseases' consortium (Neu² Konsortium). This is a
consortium of institutes and pharmaceutical companies that work on the
development of new active agents to treat neurological diseases, supported
by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The
consortium represents an optimal platform for further studies focused on
clinical development.

The decision-making body of the Neu² Konsortium voted unanimously to
support the development programme of BT-061 in MS and this decision has now
been confirmed by the BMBF.

The approved support programme extends over a three-year period and may
also include a phase IIa clinical trial, which will investigate the
potential of BT-061 in patients with MS (proof-of-concept trial).

BT-061 reinforces one of the body's natural functions to prevent extreme
immune reactions. It is therefore being developed for the treatment of
diseases due to an over-reaction of the immune system. Three clinical
studies are currently underway in the lead indications rheumatoid arthritis
and chronic plaque psoriasis. Based on the data available so far, promising
efficacy and generally good safety and tolerability have been shown for
both indications.


Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the
central nervous system (CNS). MS is the most common cause of progressive
neurological disabilities in young adults. This demyelinating disease is
characterised by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, an unpredictable
course and varying prognoses.

Seven out of 100,000 people develop MS annually. The cause of the disease
remains unclear. The prevalence rate in the population is between 50 and
120 per 100,000 depending on ethnicity and geographical latitude.



Disclaimer

This document contains forward-looking statements on overall economic
development as well as on the business, earnings, financial and assets
position of Biotest AG and its subsidiaries. These statements are based on
current plans, estimates, forecasts and expectations of the company and are
thus subject to risks and elements of uncertainty that could result in
significant deviation of actual developments from expected developments.
The forward-looking statements are only valid at the time of publication.
Biotest does not intend to update the forward-looking statements and
assumes no obligation to do so.



About Biotest

Biotest is a provider of pharmaceutical and biotherapeutic drugs as well as
reagents and systems for microbiology. With a value added chain that
extends from pre-clinical and clinical development to worldwide sales,
Biotest has specialised primarily in the areas of application of immunology
and haematology. In its Plasma Protein segment, Biotest develops and
markets immunoglobulins, coagulation factors and albumins based on human
blood plasma. These are used for diseases of the immune and haematopoietic
systems. In the Biotherapeutic segment, Biotest researches into the
clinical development of monoclonal antibodies, including in the indications
of rheumatoid arthritis and cancer of plasma cells. The products of the
Microbiological Monitoring segment are primarily used in hygiene
monitoring. Biotest has more than 1,900 employees worldwide. The preference
shares of Biotest AG are listed in the SDAX on the Frankfurt stock
exchange.


Biotest AG, Landsteinerstr. 5, D-63303 Dreieich, www.biotest.de
Dr. Monika Buttkereit
tel.: +49 (0) 6103 801-4406, 
e-mail: investor_relations@biotest.de
fax: +49 (0) 6103 801-347

Securities' ID No., ISIN ordinary shares: 522720, DE0005227201
Securities' ID No., ISIN preference shares: 522723, DE0005227235
Listing: Prime Standard/Official traded
Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart 


21.10.2010 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - 
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Language:     English
Company:      Biotest AG
              Landsteinerstraße 5
              63303 Dreieich
              Deutschland
Phone:        0 61 03 - 8 01-0
Fax:          0 61 03 - 8 01-150
E-mail:       investor_relations@biotest.de
Internet:     http://www.biotest.de
ISIN:         DE0005227235, DE0005227201
WKN:          522723, 522720
Indices:      SDAX
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
 
End of Announcement                             DGAP News-Service
 
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