Paladin Labs, Inc. has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Apeiron Biologics for APN311, an antibody-based immunotherapy for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Paladin has been granted the exclusive rights to market and sell APN311 in Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa. Further details or financial terms were not disclosed.
 
APN311 is a monoclonal chimeric antibody produced in CHO cells targeting the GD2 antigen on neuroblastoma cells and is currently in Phase III development in Europe. Treatment of advanced neuroblastoma patients with APN311 has demonstrated positive clinical activity.
 
“APN311 has shown promise in improving survival rates in the treatment of children diagnosed with neuroblastoma,” said Mark Beaudet, interim president and chief executive officer of Paladin Labs. “Paladin is proud to be working with Apeiron to make this important new treatment option available to patients in Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa.”
 
“We are very excited to partner with Paladin, one of the leading Canadian specialty pharmaceutical companies, given its experience in rare and orphan diseases as well as its emerging focus in oncology. Paladin is well positioned to make APN311 a success in its territories,” said Hans Loibner, president and chief executive officer of Apeiron Biologics.