SemBioSys Genetics Inc., a Canadian biotechnology company, announced today that it has signed a feasibility agreement with Dow AgroSciences LLC, of Indianapolis, Indiana, for the Stratosome(TM) Biologics System and its application to animal health biologics. Under the terms of the agreement, SemBioSys and Dow AgroSciences will engage in collaborative research with the aim of determining if the Stratosome(TM) Biologics System can enable the commercialisation of a Dow AgroSciences plant-made vaccine. Under the terms of the agreement, SemBioSys will receive upfront and milestone payments. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed. "
We believe that our Stratosome(TM) Biologics System, with its economic and functional benefits, makes it an outstanding platform for animal health products. We are extremely pleased to be working with Dow AgroSciences in developing their vaccine," said Andrew Baum, president and CEO of SemBioSys.
"We are very pleased to be working with SemBioSys in evaluating the Stratosome(TM) technology and its application to plant-made biologics for the animal health industry," stated Butch Mercer, Global Business Leader, Animal Health and Nutrition for Dow AgroSciences
This is the third funded development agreement announced by SemBioSys in the last six months. In December, SemBioSys announced that it had executed a development agreement with Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq: MATK) to co- develop value-added specialty oil products (DHA containing safflower oil) with potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In February, SemBioSys announced that it had entered into an agreement with Syngenta for access to SemBioSys' proprietary oilbody based Stratosome(TM) Biologics and StratoCapture(TM) Purification Systems for the development of Syngenta's biologic products.
About SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (www.sembiosys.com)
Calgary, Alberta-based SemBioSys Genetics Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutic proteins and oils using its proprietary oilbody-based technology - the Stratosome(TM) Biologics System. Spun out of the University of Calgary in 1994, the company's investors include Bay City Capital, Dow AgroSciences Canada, Inc., Ventures West Management Inc., BDC Venture Capital, University Technologies International Inc., RBC Capital Partners and Maurice Moloney Ph.D. scientific founder and chief scientific officer. In addition to these investors, SemBioSys has received repayable contributions of CAD$5.5MM from Technology Partnerships Canada, an agency of Industry Canada, and CAD$4.9MM from AVAC Ltd. SemBioSys has partnerships with Syngenta Participations AG and Martek Biosciences for the use of its Stratosome(TM) technology for the development of therapeutic products.