DSM and Opthea Sign Agreement to Manufacture Opthea’s Lead Product for Eye Disease

DSM Pharmaceutical Products, the custom manufacturing and technology business of Royal DSM, has signed an agreement with Opthea Pty Ltd of Melbourne, Australia.

The contract covers process development and cGMP manufacture by DSM for Opthea's lead molecule, a soluble form of human VEGFR-3 that blocks the activity of both VEGF-C and VEGF-D, which promote blood and lymphatic vessel formation and are involved in the progression of eye diseases.

This project represents an agreement for process development at DSM Biologics’ Groningen, The Netherlands, facility and manufacture at the newly established cGMP facility in Brisbane, Australia. Opthea, a private 100% owned subsidiary of Circadian Technologies Ltd, is developing its lead molecule OPT-302, previously known as VGX-300, initially for the treatment of 'wet' (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

“Wet” (neovascular) AMD, is a disease characterised by the loss of vision in the middle of the visual field caused by degeneration of the central portion of the retina (the macula). Abnormal growth of blood vessels below the retina, and the leakage of fluid and protein from the vessels, cause retinal degeneration and leads to severe and rapid loss of vision. Dr Megan Baldwin, CEO of Opthea said: “We are pleased to announce our manufacturing agreement with DSM and to have the opportunity to work with their highly experienced and internationally recognised team. Opthea is excited to be able to progress our manufacturing programme in a new state-of the-art facility within Australia and looks forward to further building on our strong relationship with DSM.”

Manja Bouman, President of DSM Biologics, commented: “We are honored to be working with an innovative company such as Opthea, and apply our expertise to help them bring this novel biologic treatment to patients in need. We look forward to working together with our partner on this exciting project and support them in their further development of this important drug."

Queensland Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Walker, has welcomed the deal signed by DSM Biologics and Melbourne-based Opthea today. “This is good news for Queensland and the deal is evidence of the growing reputation at a national and international level of the DSM facility with its experienced team, state-of-the-art equipment, its excellent manufacturing capability and its value for money proposition. These kinds of partnerships will be vital to the growth of this industry in Queensland,” Mr Walker said.

Financial terms were not disclosed.