December 2010: Philochem and Merck Serono Enter Into Research Agreement In Fertility

Philochem AG, Switzerland, the research unit of Philogen S.p.A., Italy and Merck Serono, the pharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced a strategic agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Philochem will supply specific recombinant antibodies to Merck Serono, to be used in the search for molecular biomarkers of oocyte and embryo quality. Further terms of the agreement are not disclosed. Once validated, molecular biomarkers can be used for the development of predictive or diagnostic tests that can help physicians assess objectively oocyte and embryo quality.

September 2010 - Philogen appoints Chief Medical Officer

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hans Menssen joined Philogen as the Chief Medical Officer on 1st September 2010. Dr. Menssen joins Philogen from Bayer Schering Pharma where he held the position of Senior Director within the Global Clinical Development team. His focus at Bayer Schering Pharma was on oncology, and he was based in the United States for 5 years of his 8 year term with the company. Prior to that, Dr. Menssen worked as a Senior House Officer in the Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology at the Charité Medical School in Berlin. Dr. Menssen was awarded a fellowship program by the German Research Organization to conduct his post-doctoral work at the Wistar Institute at Penn University in Philadelphia, PA,USA. He currently holds the position of Assistant Professor for Internal Medicine, Haematology and Medical Oncology at the Free University of Berlin.

June 2010

First results of the clinical trial with L19-IL2 in combination with Dacarbazine for the treatment of melanoma are presented at ASCO by B. Weide, T.K. Eigentler, A. Romanini, F. de Braud, V. Lovato, E. Trachsel, L. Giovannoni, D. Neri, H.D.Menssen, C. Garbe. (Abstract "Tumor-targeting human L19-IL2 monoclonal antibody-cytokine fusion protein in combination with dacarbazine in patients with advanced melanoma").

June 2010

Philogen is invited to present its pipeline at the GEM Partnering Event organized by Roche in Paris on 23 June 2010.

June 2010

The results of the first clinical trial with 131I-L19 are presented at ASCO on June 5 by G. Del Conte, P. Erba, A. Fasolo, C. Chiesa, C.M. Grana, H.D. Menssen, D. Neri, G. Mariani, E. Bambardieri, L. Gianni.  (Abstract "Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with 131I-L19SIP in solid cancers and lymphoproliferelative diseases: final results of the first human trial").

June 2010

Philogen will present at the UBS Global Specialty Pharmaceuticals Conference, 2-3 June 2010, London.

May 2010

Philogen is present at the Bio International Convention in Chicago (May 3-6) with an exhibition booth (n° 2464). The Director of Business Development will represent the company.

March 2010

Philogen is present at the Bio-Europe Spring 2010 (Barcellona, Spain) with an exhibition booth. The Director of Business Development will represent the company.

February 2010

Philogen announces the acquisition of a biologics production facility located in Rosia (Italy) in the vicinity of Siena. The facility was recently vacated by Bayer and is adjacent to the one of the largest Novartis vaccine production sites. The new plant includes office space and laboratories of 2.600 square meters, and expansion space of approximately 3 hectares.