Transave, Inc., Monmouth Junction, N.J., a biopharmaceutical
company focused on developing innovative inhaled pharmaceuticals for the
site-specific treatment of serious lung diseases has raised an aggregate
of $35 million pursuant to its recently completed preferred stock
offering. Joining the company's board are Richard Kollender from
Quaker BioVentures and Steve Kraus from Bessemer Venture Partners, the
lead investors in the Series D financing. Also participating in the
financing were TVM Capital, Prospect Venture Partners, Fidelity
Biosciences, Forbion Capital Partners and Easton Capital, all having
previously taken a leading investment role in Transave.
"Proceeds from the financing will enable Transave to deliver
Phase II proof of concept data for our lead clinical compound,
ARIKACE(tm) (liposomal amikacin for inhalation). We are on track to have
Arikace Phase II clinical data in cystic fibrosis patients that have
Pseudomonas lung infections this year. In addition, Phase II
bronchiectasis data will be available in the first half of 2009,"
said Tim Whitten, president and CEO of Transave.
Tim Whitten further commented, "We extend a hearty welcome to
our newest board members, Rich Kollender and Steve Kraus who will add
further depth to our board. It is gratifying to receive significant
financial support, not only from our highly-regarded new investors, but
also from our existing investors. The new funding serves to validate the
great strides Transave is making in our clinical programs based on our
once-daily, next-generation liposomal pulmonary delivery technology. And
perhaps more importantly, this financing will allow us to continue our
mission to help patients that have serious chronic pulmonary
infections."
The securities sold in this private placement have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be
offered or sold in the United States in the absence of an effective
registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. This press release shall not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the
convertible preferred stock.
About ARIKACE (liposomal amikacin for inhalation)
ARIKACE is a form of the antibiotic amikacin that is enclosed in
nanocapsules of lipid called liposomes. This proprietary next-generation
liposomal technology prolongs release of amikacin in the lung while
minimizing systemic exposure. The treatment uses biocompatible lipids
endogenous to the lung that are formulated into small (0.3 (m) neutrally
charged liposomes that enable biofilm penetration and are highly
efficient with very low lipid to drug ratio (0.6). ARIKACE can be
effectively delivered through nebulization where the small aerosol
droplet size (~3.0 (m) facilitates lung distribution.
Two Phase II studies are currently being conducted in patients that
have CF and Pseudomonas lung infections in Europe and the United States.
An abstract on the top line European Phase II data in CF has been
accepted for presentation at the 31st European Cystic Fibrosis
Conference in Prague in June. ARIKACE has been granted orphan drug
status in the United States by the FDA and orphan drug designation in
Europe by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for the treatment of
Pseudomonas infections in patients with CF.
About Transave Inc.
Transave Inc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the
development of innovative, inhaled pharmaceuticals for the site-specific
treatment of serious lung diseases. The company's major focus is
developing antibiotic therapy delivered via next-generation liposomal
technology in areas of high unmet need in respiratory disease. Transave
is dedicated to leveraging its advanced liposomal development and
commercialization expertise, along with its intellectual property, to
bring life extending and enhancing medicines to patients.
For more information, visit http://www.transaveinc.com or call
732/382-8898.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Worldwide
Videotex Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.