Canine Vaccine Licensing Deal Secured

RNS Number : 9700E

Benchmark Holdings PLC

09 November 2015

 



Press release embargoed 9 November 2015

Benchmark Holdings plc
("Benchmark" or the "Company")

Benchmark secures licensing deal for state-of-the-art Canine Atopic Dermatitis vaccine

Benchmark is pleased to announce that it has secured an exclusive worldwide license from Saiba Animal Health GmbH ("Saiba"), that extends for the life of the patents and thereafter for 20 years on a non-exclusive basis, giving Benchmark the rights to develop and commercialise a recombinant vaccine for Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) using Virus Like-Particle (VLP) technology. This ground-breaking technology, for which patents have been filed, will induce antibodies against specific naturally occurring cytokines known to be implicated in the development of the disease. This VLP technology is similar to that used in Hypocat, another of Benchmark's innovative companion animal vaccines currently under development. Benchmark has agreed to pay Saiba an upfront fee of £200,000, a further £200,000 to fund the development, and has an option to take a licence for £100,000 if the development is proven successful. The Company will also pay against achievement of further milestones an amount of up to £500,000. Benchmark will pay royalties to Saiba on sales of the vaccine. The vaccine would be manufactured at Benchmark's own state-of-the-art vaccine production facilities in the UK, and if the development is successful it is expected that the vaccine would be brought to market in 2019.

Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) is one of the most common canine skin diseases and a leading welfare concern, affecting 10 to 15 per cent. of the US, Canadian and European dog populations. The condition stems from a genetic predisposition to develop allergic symptoms following exposure to substances that are usually harmless, but trigger an allergic response. Two of the most common allergens are dust mites and pollen, which are difficult for pets to avoid. The most common symptoms of canine atopic dermatitis include itching, excessive scratching, rubbing on the carpet, hair loss, greasy or flaky skin with a foul odour, excessive chewing on the paws and areas such as the groin and armpits. Over time, the skin that is scratched can develop raw, inflamed areas that may become infected. Once dogs develop pet atopy they usually suffer more and more each year because their skin becomes more sensitive over time. Therefore, what may start out as canine atopic dermatitis only in the Spring and Autumn can become a year-round problem as dogs age and skin becomes increasingly sensitive.

Investment in the vaccine supports Benchmark's strategy of driving innovation in the fields of animal health and welfare, while reducing global reliance on antibiotics which are commonly used to treat the secondary effects of the disease. With an estimated 152 million dogs in the US, Canada and Europe, the estimated total market value for treatment of the disease is over £1 billion per annum. Unlike other CAD treatments on the market such as steroids, antihistamines and immuno-suppressants, which typically require continuous application and in some cases can weaken the dog's immune system, this new vaccine would reduce the need for intervention and lessen the animals' susceptibility to infection and illness. The vaccine is expected to require three initial injections, followed by an annual booster.

Martin Bachmann, Saiba Animal Health CEO, commented: "I am very pleased with this deal as it demonstrates the power of Saiba's novel vaccine technology".

Benchmark CEO, Malcolm Pye, commented: "We are pleased to be leveraging our expertise and relationships in the field of VLP technology to tackle another major challenge facing the animal health industry. We are looking forward to developing the technology needed to better manage this widespread problem affecting dogs and their owners. Benchmark is always looking for new opportunities to apply our experience and capabilities to better the health and welfare of animals."

ENDS

Benchmark Holdings plc	Tel: [phone]
Malcolm Pye, CEO
Roland Bonney, COO
Rachel Aninakwah, Communications	Tel: [phone]
Cenkos Securities plc	Tel: [phone]
Stephen Keys, NOMAD
Tavistock Communications	Tel: [phone]
Matt Ridsdale/Niall Walsh

Notes to Editors: 

Founded in 2000, Benchmark represents a new model in sustainable business development. Over the last decade it has built a profitable group of companies on the economics of a sustainable food supply chain. The company is growing in response to a rapidly increasing demand for sustainable food supply chains, and in particular for seafood, from both mature and emerging markets.

Benchmark is an ethical company with an explicit policy based on the "3E's" definition of a sustainable business - ethics, environment and economics - which guides its strategy and operations.

The Group has four divisions: Animal Health which researches, manufactures and markets medicines and vaccines particularly for aquaculture; Sustainability Science which researches and informs sustainable development in the food industry, Technical Publishing which effects technology transfer through online publishing and education, and Animal Breeding and Genetics which is the second largest supplier of salmon eggs and genetic expertise in the world. Benchmark operates internationally with offices in the UK, Ireland, Norway, USA, Brazil, China, Russia, Iceland, Thailand, Belgium, Chile, Spain, Germany, Portugal and Australia and as at 6 November 2015 employs 399 people. For further information on Benchmark please visit www.benchmarkplc.com.

 

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