14th April 2008, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – SynCo Bio Partners B.V., a leading GMP biopharmaceutical manufacturer, has signed a Master Services Agreement with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, a company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells. Under the agreement, SynCo will fill and finish batches of OncoMed’s lead product, antibody OMP-21M18, for use in Phase I clinical trials.
Announcing the agreement, Pierre Warffemius, CEO, said, "We are delighted that a company at the forefront of cancer therapies has recognised our expertise in biopharmaceutical processing by choosing us to fill their lead antibody for early clinical trails."
Paul J. Hastings, President and CEO of OncoMed, "We selected SynCo Bio Partners because we needed a GMP-accredited contract manufacturing organisation that had a proven track record in filling biologics. With SynCo’s expertise in all aspects of biopharmaceutical manufacture, they were an ideal partner for us at this crucial stage in our development."
OncoMed recently announced that it had signed a worldwide strategic alliance with GSK to develop cancer stem cell antibody therapeutics. One of the key projects in this alliance will be the development of OncoMed’s lead antibody product candidate, OMP-21M18, a monoclonal antibody, which is scheduled to enter the clinic in 2008.
SynCo will fill and finish antibody OMP-21M18 at its Amsterdam-based facility. This facility is able to fill a wide range of biopharmaceuticals into vials, including protein, polysaccharide, and live-microbial-based products using the latest filling and finishing equipment.
Issued on behalf of SynCo Bio Partners by De Facto Communications
For more information, contact:
De Facto Sarah Herrmann 00 44 207 861 2019 s.herrmann@defacto.com
SynCo Bio Partners Joanne McCudden 00 31 655 34 80 74 Joanne_McCudden@synco-biopartners.com
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Paul J. Hastings, Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer William D. Waddill, 1-650-938-9400
Media Inquiries:
Karen L. Bergman or Michelle Corral
BCC Partners
650-575-1509 or 415-794-8662