BTG ACQUIRES INNOVATIVE COMPOUNDS FOR USE IN TREATING CARDIAC AND RENAL DISEASE

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BTG ACQUIRES INNOVATIVE COMPOUNDS FOR USE IN TREATING CARDIAC AND RENAL DISEASE
10 October 2006 - BTG

BTG, the global technology commercialisation company, has obtained exclusive rights from Genentech, Inc. to develop and commercialise an Atrial Natriuretic Factor peptide technology, shown to have therapeutic potential in treating acute congestive heart failure, acute renal failure and renal hypertension. BTG is seeking to license this technology.

The ANF technology consists of synthetic peptides which mimic the naturally occurring ANF hormone and regulate diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilatory activity in mammals. In addition, synthetic ANF is not cleared as quickly from the body as other synthetic peptides, which results in increased metabolic stability and therefore greater efficacy.

Congestive heart failure, a potentially life-threatening disorder with no known cure, is a chronic condition in which the heart functions ineffectively and circulation to the body’s organs is reduced. Each year 15 million people worldwide, including five million Americans, suffer from congestive heart failure. Each year, in the US alone, there are one million hospitalisations due to congestive heart failure, at a cost of $8-15 billion, and approximately 250,000 deaths from congestive heart failure and its complications.

Acute renal failure is characterised by a rapid decline in kidney function which leads to a toxic build-up of metabolic waste products in the blood. The most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Dr Geoffrey Porges, BTG’s Executive Vice President and Director, Health, Medical & BioTechnologies, said: "The therapeutic potential of these peptides is widely recognised, and there is a need to overcome the weaknesses of current ANF compounds. We are offering potential licensees the opportunity to develop and commercialise these novel human synthetic peptides, which have the potential to treat a number of pathological conditions more effectively than existing technologies."

http://www.btgplc.com

About: BTG
BTG is an intellectual property and technology commercialisation company that operates internationally. BTG creates value by investing in intellectual property and technology development, and in early stage ventures. We realise value through technology licensing, patent assertion and sale of equity investments. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we apply intellectual property and commercial expertise, together with specialist skills in science and technology, to create major product opportunities in the health and high tech sectors. BTG has commercialised important innovations, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Multilevel Cell Memory, Campath (alemtuzumab), the first monoclonal antibody treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and recombinant Factor IX blood clotting protein. BTG operates through wholly owned subsidiaries BTG International Ltd and BTG International Inc in the UK and USA, respectively.

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