Biovitrum (STOCKHOLM, Sweden), one of the largest biopharma companies in Europe, announced a development agreement with the Swedish biotechnology company Synphora AB. Under the terms, Biovitrum will cofinance the current phase I clinical study, and if successful, the following phase II study of Synphora's prostaglandin derivative drug candidate, JB991 (a cyclopentenone prostaglandin), for the treatment of psoriasis and other conditions.

Synphora remains fully responsible for developing JB991 up to and including clinical phase IIa under the terms of the agreement. In return for the investment, Biovitrum will be entitled to acquire the project, after phase IIa, according to predetermined terms.

JB991 exerts marked antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effect in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro. In addition, a closely related cyclopentenone prostaglandin analog has been shown to exert marked anti-inflammatory effect in vivo in an animal model. JB991 is intended to be applied topically for the treatment of psoriasis.

Biovitrum has one clinical stage and one preclinical stage program in inflammation: for pain relief in connection with inflammation, a selective agonist for the A2 adenosine receptor has completed phase I clinical study; for the treatment of skin inflammations such as atopic dermatitis, inhibitors of the enzyme SCCE (stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme), which is important for the induction and development of skin inflammations, are in lead optimization.
 
Synphora AB was established in 1998 by Johan Stjernschantz, Bahram Resul, and Iréne Aspman. The founders of the company are previous employees of Pharmacia-Upjohn who held key positions in the XalatanR (latanoprost) project of Pharmacia. Xalatan, with 1.3 billion US dollar sales in 2004, acquired by Pfizer, was the first prostaglandin analog developed for glaucoma treatment.

—A. Techman

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