Mintz Levin Represents Novosom AG in Exclusive License Agreement with Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
9/10/2008
London, England - The London office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, LLP, assisted by members from the firm's New York office, represented Mintz Levin client Novosom AG in acquiring an exclusive, worldwide license from Isis Pharmaceuticals, California, to certain antisense inhibitors targeting CD40 mRNA for a number of indications. The deal exercises an option signed in February 2007 between the two companies and provides Novosom AG with exclusive, worldwide access to certain of Isis' proprietary antisense oligonucleotides targeting CD40 as well as non-exclusive access to Isis' core technology patents. In return, Isis will receive financial considerations including an upfront exercise fee, milestone payments and royalties.
Novosom plans to target CD40, a well established target for both inflammatory diseases and B-cell cancers, for indications such as Crohn's disease, organ transplant or rheumatoid arthritis. Novosom will use its proprietary Smarticles® technology to enhance the systemic delivery of antisense targeting CD40.
Representing Novosom AG were Julian Crump, a Member in the firm's Intellectual Property practice, and Susan Foster and Charlotte Edelman of the firm's Corporate practice. Both Mr. Crump and Dr. Foster practise in Mintz Levin's London office. Ms. Edelman practises in the firm's New York office.
Mintz Levin served as advisors to Novosom in 2006, when the company licensed a formulation of the Novosom's proprietary "Smarticles" technology to ProNai Therapeutics Inc. Joel Papernik, a Member in the firm's Corporate practice in New York and Mr. Crump advised Novosom in that agreement.
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