Company Overview

Biomira Inc. is a biotechnology company applying its leading technology in immunotherapy and organic chemistry for the development of cancer therapeutics. The Company's commitment to the development of products for the treatment of cancer is currently focused on synthetic therapeutic vaccines and innovative strategies for immunotherapy of cancer. We are the Cancer Vaccine People(TM).

Company Information

Additional Details

Legal Name: Biomira Inc.

Number of Employees: 114

Total Sales ($CDN): $100,000 - $200,000

Contacts

Products

• Blp25 Liposomal Vaccine

  BLP25 Liposomal vaccine is a liposomal peptide vaccine incorporating a 25 amino acid sequence of the MUC-1 mucin. In pre-clinical models, BLP25 Liposomal vaccine prevented the appearance of lung metastases when given in advance of the breast cancer cell line expressing human MUC- 1. In another series of experiments where BLP25 Liposomal vaccine was given after the cancer had established small, microscopic cancer nodules, cancer cells were almost completely eradicated following BLP25 Liposomal vaccine treatment. A Phase II clinical trial in non-small cell lung cancer, where there are an estimated 149, 000 new cases in North America each year, was completed in Canada. This novel peptide may also be tested in other appropriate cancer indications. BLP Liposomal vaccine is currently wrapping up enrolment in a Phase IIb study for patients with metastatic lung cancer. 166 patients are being enrolled in this trial in both Canada and the U. K. Results are expected in the second half of 2003. A Phase II pilot study is also enrolling patients with prostate cancer at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta.

• Glycoaminoacids
• Glycopeptides
• Liposomes

  At Biomira USA, a novel system for administering IL-2 has been developed by incorporating it in a liposome (L-IL2). A liposome is a fat droplet, smaller than a red blood cell. In this case, it is used as a delivery system to carry and facilitate the slow release of IL-2 to cells of the immune system. When given intravenously, L-IL2 appears to have less toxicity than free IL-2. L-IL2 also appears to enhance the therapeutic effect of peptide vaccines in preclinical models. This may be important in clinical trials with BLP25.

• Muc-1 Vaccines

  Biomira, through its licensing of patents from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, England, has secured world-wide rights to any MUC-1 vaccine. These issues or pending patents are related to the compositon of matter.

• Oligosaccharides
• Peptides
• Theratope

  Theratope vaccine is a biological formulation incorporating a synthetic mimic of Stn, a naturally occurring cancer-associated antigen found on cancer cells. The STn epitope is attached to a protein carrier KLH and is administered subcutaneously, initially with DETOX B SE adjuvant. The standard Theratope vaccine program involves pre-treatment with a single low dose of cyclophosphamide, given as an immunomodulator to enhance the effect of treatment. The vaccine is designed to stimulate a patient's immune system to induce an immune response to control cancer. Intellectual property is protected by Biomira's patents and trade secrets. Biomira has long term secure supply agreements for the purchased vaccine components. Theratope entered Phase III trials in November 1998 and completed enrolment of 1.030 patients in March 2001. The final analysis for this product candidate is expected towards the end of the first half of 2003. Theratope is also being tested in a Phase II pilot study for pateints with colorectal cancer. This 20-patient trial is fully enrolled. Patients are being enrolled in a Phase II trial for patients with metastatic breast cancer who are using aromatase inhibitors or Faslodex. This trial is enrolling patients in the U. S. only.

Additional Information