Norgine and Innovacell agree new collaboration

Norgine has announced that it will be working together with Innovacell to bring an innovative new treatment for faecal incontinence to Europe.

The exclusive licensing agreement covers the EU, the Southern Africa Development Community and the Middle East/North Africa region and pertains to the compound ICEF15, which will be co-developed by both companies and commercialised by Norgine.

ICEF15 is intended for male and female patients suffering from faecal incontinence with sphincter weakness or damage and is a personalised cell-based product concept, based upon proliferating autologous myoblasts from a biopsy taken from the patients' own muscle.

Phase I/II clinical trial data have shown the drug is associated with a rapid reduction in the symptoms of faecal incontinence as well as an improvement in quality of life. A phase IIb trial of the product is expected to commence soon.

Peter Stein, chief executive officer at Norgine, said: "Our collaboration with Innovacell is a major step forward in developing a truly innovative therapy in a disease area in which we have strong expertise."

The company also recently announced a debt financing deal with Stanmore Implants Worldwide worth 7.5 million pounds, which recognises the firm's potential in the limb salvage and preservation orthopaedic implants markets.