BASILDON, ENGLAND -- Pharmanovia, a global pharmaceutical company that commercialises novel medicines and revitalises, extends and expands the lifecycle of established medicines, announced the expansion of its oncology portfolio with a new licensing agreement for catumaxomab, for the treatment of malignant ascites.

The agreement gives Pharmanovia the exclusive rights to bring to market, catumaxomab, a first-in-class, trifunctional bi-specific monoclonal antibody, indicated for the intraperitoneal treatment of malignant ascites in adults with epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive carcinomas, who are not eligible for further systemic anticancer therapy[1]. Malignant ascites is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity that commonly arises from advanced-stage cancers.

Dr Stephen Deacon, Chief Scientific Officer explains: “What is exciting about catumaxomab is that it has a novel targeted approach. This bispecific (anti-EpCAM x anti-CD3) trifunctional antibody combines the characteristics of classical monoclonal antibodies and bispecific molecules[2]. It binds directly to the tumour cells expressing EpCAM and then enhances the activation of the patient’s own immune system resulting in the killing of tumour cells.”

Malignant ascites is a rare condition, most common in ovarian, pancreatic and gastric cancers, with an incidence of 20 to 50% of all cases.[3]

Pharmanovia CEO, Dr. James Burt commented; “Our mission is to bring innovative and improved medicines to patients who need them, and this deal is the epitome of this. We have a first-in-class medicine, that can play a critical role in cancer supportive care that has previously been approved but is no longer available. We’re looking to change that through this partnership with Lindis Biotech, reintroducing catumaxomab to the market, subject to full regulatory approval. We’re excited to put our strong capabilities in New Chemical Entities (NCEs) to bring this important medicine to patients.”

“We are excited to partner with Pharmanovia to support the commercialisation of catumaxomab in Europe. Both companies share a firm belief in the profound impact this therapy can have on the lives of patients facing this devastating condition and uphold a steadfast commitment to making catumaxomab available to as many people as possible,” said Dr. Horst Lindhofer, Chief Executive Officer of Lindis Biotech. “Pharmanovia’s supportive care focus, broad European platform and strong expertise in the oncology space make them the ideal partner for us. We look forward to working together while continuing to further expand our pipeline in other indications with high unmet medical need, such as bladder cancer.”

Prof. Carsten Bokemeyer, Director of the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology at the University of Hamburg, UKE stated: “The clinical management of malignant ascites remains a distressing problem in the medical field. Unfortunately, to this day, no generally accepted, evidence-based treatment guidelines or specific management recommendations for MA exist and there has been little progress to ease the burden for patients and improve their quality of life. Thus, the availability of catumaxomab as a specific tumour-directed therapy is a clear benefit for patients in this difficult situation. Catumaxomab reduces the need for punctures, improves quality of life, and even seems to improve life expectancy in a number of cases.”

Catumaxomab received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) at its October 2024 meeting with EU marketing authorization expected end of 2024. If approved, it would become the only drug approved for the specific and cancer-directed treatment of malignant ascites.