Kane Biotech Meets Key Milestone in DispersinB(TM) Manufacturing Process
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/07/08 -- Kane Biotech Inc. (TSX VENTURE: KNE), a biotechnology company engaged in the development of products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms, is pleased to announce that the creation of the Master Cell Bank for manufacturing DispersinB(TM) has successfully been completed. The Master Cell Bank provides a pure cell culture for manufacturing clinical grade DispersinB(TM) by fermentation in a cGMP facility.
"This is a key step in the manufacturing process of clinical grade DispersinB(TM)", stated Gord Froehlich, President and CEO for Kane Biotech. "We are very pleased with the progress BioVectra has made and we now look forward to the next step of manufacturing the antimicrobial wound gel using clinical grade DispersinB(TM)."
"The successful creation and quality release of the DispersinB(TM) Master Cell Bank represents a significant milestone in the creation of a commercial process for the DispersinB(TM) wound gel", stated Scott Doncaster, Director of Manufacturing for BioVectra. "The DispersinB(TM) Master Cell Bank was designed to be 100% compliant with the current International Conference on Harmonization ("ICH") quality guidelines for expression constructs of therapeutic proteins (ICH Q5B). As the DispersinB(TM) wound gel progresses through the developmental phases, this compliance standard will allow for the acceptance of the DispersinB(TM) manufacturing process by worldwide regulating agencies."
DispersinB(TM) is a novel antibiofilm enzyme capable of both inhibiting and dispersing bacterial biofilms. Kane Biotech has received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for DispersinB(TM) and has been awarded a $405,000 contribution from the National Research Council-Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) to further develop this technology. Kane Biotech is presently using DispersinB(TM) alone, and in combination with other antimicrobial agents, to develop a wound care therapy and a proprietary medical device coating.
About BioVectra Inc.
BioVectra Inc. is a growing Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on contract manufacturing and product development of active pharmaceutical ingredients, pharmaceutical intermediates and bioreagents. Located in Prince Edward Island, Canada, BioVectra currently holds 8 Drug Master File filings and is an active supplier to most of the major pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic companies in North America and Europe. BioVectra is well positioned to provide full cGMP development and production expertise to the Canadian and World Biotech markets.
About Kane Biotech Inc.
Kane Biotech is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of products to prevent and remove biofilms. Biofilms are a major cause of a number of serious medical problems including chronic infections and medical device related infections. They develop on surfaces such as catheters, prosthetic implants, teeth, lungs and the urogenital tract. Biofilms are pervasive, costly to deal with and are involved in approximately 80% of all human bacterial infections. The healing of chronic wounds alone costs the Unites States health care system $20 Billion per year.
Kane Biotech is currently developing two lead technology platforms: - DispersinB(TM), a novel antibiofilm enzyme that inhibits as well as disperses microbial biofilms, with applications in wound care, medical devices, oral care and animal healthcare. Kane is currently developing a DispersinB(TM) based antibiofilm/antimicrobial wound gel for healing chronic wounds. - PS/CHX, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial/antibiofilm composition comprising FDA-approved protamine sulfate and chlorhexidine, with applications in anti-infective medical device coatings, animal care and dairy and food processing industries. This technology has been licensed to Harland Medical Systems to develop antimicrobial urinary and venous access catheters.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, our objectives, goals, targets, strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, estimates and outlook, including, without limitation, our anticipated future operating results, and can, in some cases, be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will," "may" and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.
These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things: Kane's early stage of development, lack of product revenues and history of operating losses, uncertainties related to clinical trials and product development, rapid technological change, uncertainties related to forecasts, competition, potential product liability, additional financing requirements and access to capital, unproven markets, supply of raw materials, income tax matters, management of growth, partnerships for development and commercialization of technology, effects of insurers' willingness to pay for products, system failures, dependence on key personnel, foreign currency risk, risks related to regulatory matters and risks related to intellectual property and other risks detailed from time to time in Kane's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, as well as Kane's ability to anticipate and manage the risks associated with the foregoing. Kane cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on Kane's forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Kane, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.
These risks and uncertainties should be considered carefully and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Kane cannot provide assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Kane undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts: Kane Biotech Inc. Justin Gagnon Manager, Investor Relations (204) 478-5602 (204) 453-1314 (FAX) Email: jgagnon@kanebiotech.com Website: www.kanebiotech.com
Released July 7, 2008