Vienna (pts036/13.05.2019/13:30) - AOP Orphan IP AG and AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG have entered into a partnership with orphanix GmbH to jointly develop RetinolX, an innovative medicine for the prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).
BPD is a life-threatening lung disease affecting very preterm infants. Around 1 % of births are very preterm and potentially affected by this severe disease. However, no authorized preventive medicine exists yet on a global level. The joint parties are collaborating closely with expert physicians in neonatal intensive care to develop a new solution to prevent this devastating lung disease.
The project aims to deliver an EU-wide market authorization by Q1 2022 under the centralized authorization procedure. Financial terms were not disclosed. The collaboration includes rights to additional unspecified orphan conditions.
"This cooperation is a perfect match, as orphanix, AOP Orphan IP AG and AOP Orphan are all passionately dedicated to creating new treatments for patients with severe rare conditions. In addition, we all offer strong specialized capabilities. We are thrilled about the partnership given the successful history and track record of AOP Orphan and AOP Orphan IP AG", explains Dr. Philipp Heinrich Novak, CEO and Founder of orphanix.
"RetinolX will solve a high unmet medical need for the prevention of BPD across the globe", states orphanix Co-Founder Dr. Stefan Johansson, consultant neonatologist and Associate Professor in Paediatrics in Stockholm, Sweden.
Dr. Rudolf Widmann, Founder and Chief Therapeutic Development Officer of AOP Orphan, adds "We are excited to work with orphanix to develop and commercialize this potentially life-changing treatment. Projects like this are the reason I founded AOP Orphan."
Michael Steiger, Managing Director of AOP Orphan IP AG, points out that "the collaboration with orphanix opens a new therapeutic area for AOP Orphan IP AG and strengthens the company´s focus on rare and severe diseases."