Neptune Completes Pharmacoeconomic Analysis and Initiates Discussions with Pharmaceutical Companies for NKO™ New Drug Development
19 October 2006
Laval, Quebec, Canada, October 17, 2006 - Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc., (TSX.V: NTB), Neptune is pleased to announce that it has initiated discussions with pharmaceutical companies in Europe and North America in relation to developing NKO™ (Neptune Krill Oil) as a new therapeutic ingredient for the management of Cardiovascular disease.
These early discussions were recently initiated as a result of the completion of further analysis of data from previous clinical trials. After protecting intellectual property and demonstrating safety and therapeutic effectiveness, Neptune completed the final requirement of the Pharmaceutical Industry by completing a pharmacoeconomic analysis demonstrating a cost/benefit advantages and reduction of risk for cardiovascular events over 10 years with the implementation of NKO™ as an adjunct to statin therapies.
Neptune showed risk reduction for cardiovascular events by incorporating existing cholesterol data in the Framingham model, a validated tool derived from The Framingham Study and used by Health Canada, the FDA and EMEA to develop clinical practice guidelines for heart disease and decide on drug approval and reimbursement.
Pharmacoeconomic analysis showed that NKO™ is cost effective and offers significant cost/benefit advantages. Neptune's score validates its effectiveness and suitability for entry into the pharmaceutical industry. This represents a significant milestone in reaching an agreement with a pharmaceutical company.
Neptune's objective for concluding an arrangement with a pharma is estimated around mid-2007.
With regards to the Pharma initiative, Neptune has appointed Mr. Yvon Bastien as a special advisor to the management team; Mr. Yvon Bastien is an experienced business leader who has been at the forefront of numerous pharmaceuticals organizations during his 31-year career. Most recently, as President and General Manager he led and structured a highly successful entrepreneurial organization at Sanofi Synthelabo Canada. Prior to joining Sanofi, Mr. Yvon Bastien established a new strategic direction for Canadian operations as president of Jouveinal, a Paris-based research-oriented pharmaceutical company. Mr. Bastien was also Member of R&D Board and Chair of Public Relation Committee.
"The preparation of a new health / therapeutic ingredient for acceptance in the strict pharmaceutical market is a multifactorial process including a fine and often difficult synergy of science and business. I am very proud of the therapeutic and pharmacoeconomic benefits demonstrated with Neptune Krill Oil and I am now more confident than ever that Neptune offers what Phamaceutical companies want to see. I am also very happy to welcome Mr. Yvon Bastien to our team, we are all looking forward to benefit from his great experience in the pharmaceutical industry", said Dr. Tina Sampalis, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of R&D and Business Development at Neptune.
