Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica

TOKYO, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund announced today an investment of approximately 907 million yen (US$6.2 million1) for the development of a new prophylactic vaccine against malaria and a new anti-malarial drug and approximately 273 million yen (US$1.8 million1) for multiple product development projects against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), totaling approximately 1.18 billion yen (US$8.0 million1).2 Malaria is an infectious parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitos that affects approximately 250 million people annually and was responsible for approximately 620,000 deaths in 2021.3 NTDs are a group of 20 preventable and treatable diseases that affect more than 1.6 billion people4 worldwide, particularly communities in low-income countries. Despite the need for diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, NTDs are under-researched, under-treated and under-funded. The GHIT Fund invests in new product development with the aim of contributing to global health through Japanese technology and innovation to address these neglected infectious diseases. Next-generation malaria vaccine in pre-clinical stage by Ehime University, Sumitomo Pharma, EVI and iBET The GHIT Fund will invest approximately 573 million yen (US$3.9 million1) for the development of a new asexual-blood stage malaria vaccine by Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., Ehime University (Japan), European Vaccine Initiative e.V. (EVI e.V.), and a Portuguese non-profit research institution, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnologica (iBET). Given the modest and short-term efficacy of the most advanced malaria vaccine, promotion of this project will lead to the development of a more effective next-generation vaccine. The GHIT Fund will also invest approximately 334 million yen (US$2.3 million1) for the anti-malarial drug project by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC), Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and University of Georgia (UGA) with the aim of delivering a preclinical candidate with a novel mode of action. In addition, as part of the product development projects toward NTDs, GHIT has decided to invest approximately 150 million yen (US$1.0 million1) for a leprosy vaccine project at a clinical trial stage by Sasakawa Health Foundation, American Leprosy Missions, Inc., and Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz) and approximately 55 million yen (US$0.3 million1) and 66 million yen (US$0.4 million1), respectively, in a development of diagnostics for schistosomiasis and onchocerciasis by a partnership including Medical & Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd., and an American non-profit company, Drugs & Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases (DDTD). Dr. Osamu Kunii, CEO of the GHIT Fund, said "We are very pleased to invest in new product development towards malaria and NTDs with strong leadership from Japan and collaboration with our global partners. With the engagement of new partners, we aim to accelerate the product development in the GHIT 3.0 strategy and deliver the new products on the ground as soon as possible." As of September 27, 2023, there are 47 ongoing projects, including 19 discovery, 17 preclinical and 11 clinical trials5 in the GHIT Fund's portfolio. The total amount of investments since 2013 is 30.2 billion yen (US$207 million). 1 USD1 = JPY146.20, the approximate exchange rate on August 31, 2023. 2 These awarded projects were selected and approved as new investments from among proposals to RFP2023-001 for the Product Development Platform, which was open for applications from November 2022 to July 2023. 3 WHO (World Health Organization): 4 Reference: World Health Organization (WHO) 5 This number includes the projects at registration phase. The GHIT Fund is a Japan-based international public-private partnership (PPP) fund that was formed between the Government of Japan, multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests in and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at addressing neglected diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, which afflict the world's vulnerable and underserved populations. In collaboration with global partners, the GHIT Fund mobilizes Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases. Appendix 1. Project Details G2021-208 G2023-104 G2023-110 G2023-111 G2023-114 *All amounts are listed at an exchange rate of USD1 = JPY146.20, the approximate exchange rate on August 31, 2023. Appendix 2. Investment Overview (as of September 27, 2023) Investments to date Total investments: 30.2 billion yen (US$207million1) Total invested projects: 121 (47 active projects and 74 completed projects) To learn more about GHIT Fund's investments, please visit Investment Overview: Portfolio: Advancing Portfolio: Clinical Candidates: For more information, contact: Katy Lenard at +1-301-280-5719 or [email protected] Mina Ohata at +81-36441-2032 or [email protected] SOURCE GHIT Fund

LUND, Sweden, Sept. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hansa Biopharma, "Hansa" (Nasdaq Stockholm: HNSA), a pioneer in enzyme technology for rare immunological conditions, announced today that Dr. Hitto Kaufmann has been appointed as Hansa's Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) effective 1 December 2023. As CSO, Dr. Kaufmann will be responsible for all research, early development, translational and manufacturing activities. He will report to President & Chief Executive Officer Søren Tulstrup and serve as a member of Hansa's Executive Committee. Dr. Kaufmann joins Hansa from Pieris Pharmaceuticals where he has served as Chief Scientific Officer since 2019. He led the company's R&D platform developing innovative next generation protein therapeutics leading to regulatory submissions across several indications. He played an integral role in transforming the company's operational excellence including accelerated development paths, machine-learning driven R&D and reliable high-performance manufacturing as well as delivery. Søren Tulstrup, President and CEO, Hansa Biopharma said, "We are thrilled to welcome Hitto to Hansa at this pivotal time. With over 20 years' experience in research, development, and advancement of science, he is poised to lead the development of our scientific platform and advancement of our pipeline of exciting drug candidates for rare immunologic diseases and conditions. Hitto has a proven track record of developing innovative medicines, advancing strategic R&D partnerships, and building next generation therapeutic platforms. He has previously demonstrated an ability to build and lead high-performing teams in both large pharma and small biotech organizations." Hitto Kaufmann said: "I am thrilled to build on the great work that has positioned Hansa as one of the most promising mid-stage biotech companies. Hansa has cutting-edge science - specifically its unique versatile IgG antibody cleaving enzyme platform - that will help deliver better patient outcomes in areas of high unmet need. I look forward to joining a team of diverse, talented people and to working across the company to develop and deliver lifesaving and life-altering medicines." Biography Dr. Hitto Kaufmann has served as Chief Scientific Officer at Pieris Pharmaceuticals since 2019. He is a biopharma leader with over 20 years of experience in research, development, and manufacturing. His track record includes the development of approximately 100 biological therapeutic entities and many projects advanced by him actively steering strategic partnerships. At Pieris, he was responsible for leading research, technical development, data sciences as well as drug supply while overseeing early-stage projects and alliance management. Additionally, Dr. Kaufmann played an integral role in transforming the company's approach to development and advancement of new drug candidates. He currently serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnologica (iBET), a private, non-profit organization in Portugal specializing in biology research and drug discovery/bioprocess development services. Prior to joining Pieris, Dr. Kaufmann spent five years at Sanofi, where he held several executive positions in Industrial Affairs and R&D. During this time, he led efforts to build a strong cross-divisional end-to-end technology platform for Sanofi Biologics that included several strategic deals. He also led the Global Biopharmaceutics Development, managing over 700 employees across three sites tasked with drug substance and drug product technical development, analytics, clinical supply and release. Before his tenure at Sanofi, Dr. Kaufmann spent more than a decade at Boehringer Ingelheim, and prior to his departure was the Vice President of Process Sciences in the Biopharmaceuticals division. He began his career as a Research Scientist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne. Dr. Kaufmann received his Ph.D. in Natural Science, focusing on cell culture technology, at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. He earned his Master of Science degree in biotechnology from the Technical University of Braunschweig and the Scripps Research Institute. Contacts for more information: Klaus Sindahl, Head of Investor Relations M: +46 (0) 709 298 269 E: klaus.sindahl@hansabiopharma.com Stephanie Kenney, VP Global Corporate Affairs M: +1 (484) 319 2802 E: stephanie.kenney@hansabiopharma.com The following files are available for download: ​ View original content: SOURCE Hansa Biopharma AB Company Codes: Bloomberg:HNSA@SS, ISIN:SE0002148817, RICS:HNSA.ST, Stockholm:HNSA

Collaboration set to develop and implement high-throughput analytical methods in support of Vector BioPharma’s CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls) development Project to accelerate the technical development of Vector BioPharma’s gene delivery platform Announcement follows Vector BioPharma’s $30 million Series A fundraising in August 2022 BASEL, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vector BioPharma AG (Vector BioPharma), a biopharmaceutical company aiming to transform the safety, efficacy, and specificity of drug delivery to improve treatments for patients, today announced that it has entered into a strategic, multi-phase collaboration with the Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), a world-leading research-intensive organization specialized in biotechnology research and bioprocess development. The partnership aims to develop high-throughput quantification methods to advance the technical development of Vector’s gene delivery platform. Vector BioPharma’s gene delivery platform combines high-capacity virus-like particles with exogenous, high-avidity adapter proteins. Utilizing iBET’s expertise in developing integrated bioprocesses and analytical methods for the production, purification and characterization of virus-based pharmaceuticals, the collaboration will be executed in multiple stages. Initially, the collaboration will seek to develop a high-throughput analytical method for full-to-empty capsid ratio quantification from both in-process and final purified samples. Monitoring the full-to-empty capsid ratio, which is a critical quality attribute of virus-based biotherapeutics, is used to determine the purity and safety of such products during the manufacturing process and at the final product stage. Subsequent collaboration stages will focus on the upstream process development for the large-scale manufacturing of Vector BioPharma’s virus-like particles. Lorenz Mayr, Ph.D., CEO at Vector BioPharma, said: “Collaboration with industry-leading R&D institutions and researchers in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector is key to accelerating the development of Vector BioPharma’s proprietary gene delivery platform as we look towards large scale and GMP manufacturing. Considering iBET’s track record of prestigious RD&I technology transfer projects with companies across the globe, we are confident in this project to rapidly accelerate the development of our gene delivery platform.” Micha Häuptle, Ph.D., Head of CMC at Vector BioPharma, said: “We are delighted to enter a collaboration with iBET, a world-class expert in the field of manufacturing process and analytical development for viral vectors. We look forward to leveraging iBET’s experience in the virus-based biopharmaceutical sector, for the development of precise analytical methods and robust manufacturing processes for Vector BioPharma’s virus-like particles designed for precise gene delivery.” Paula Alves, Ph.D., CEO at iBET, said: “iBET is thrilled to partner with such a creative team as Vector BioPharma which, like us, excels at applying cutting-edge technologies from academic research to create innovative viral vectors for gene delivery. Vector BioPharma’s challenges to develop next-generation therapeutics for high-precision gene delivery will motivate our efforts to succeed. This partnership is iBET´s most recent contribution to global health initiatives with its bioprocess development and bioanalytics know-how to bring safe and improved medicines to the clinic.” António Roldão, Ph.D., Coordinator of Late-stage R&D Bioproduction Unit at iBET, said: “It is an honour that Vector Biopharma has appointed iBET to partner in the development of such an innovative and potentially transformative new modality. We are confident that the competences and expertise of iBET in bioprocess and analytics development for gene therapy applications will complement Vector BioPharma’s know-how on viral particles engineering to potentiate its innovative gene delivery platform. Looking forward to a fruitful and exciting collaboration.” To learn more about Vector BioPharma, please visit To learn more about iBET, please visit View source version on businesswire.com: Contacts Source: Vector BioPharma View this news release online at: