Life Therapeutics signs MOU with UK's BioProducts

Life Therapeutics, the company formerly known as Gradipore (ASX: GDP), has signed a memorandum of understanding with UK company Bio Products Laboratories (BPL) over the potential acquisition of a recombinant human anti-D immunoglobulin (rAnti-D).

rAnti-D is used to treat rhesus-negative women pregnant with a rhesus-positive foetus to prevent potentially fatal complications caused by the blood group incompatibility.

The MOU gives the two companies 12 weeks to negotiate and enter a formal agreement giving Life Therapeutics the rights to manufacture, conduct clinical trials and distribute the rAnti-D product in the US and other markets.

Phase I clinical trials of the rAnti-D product have been successfully completed by BPL, which has spent the last 15 years developing the product as an alternative to plasma-derived human anti-D immunoglobulin.

Life Therapeutics managing director Dr Hari Nair believes that the product can be brought to market within three years.

As well as complementing the existing Anti-D plasma business of Life Therapeutics subsidiary Life Sera, the company's Gradipore separations technology can be used in the manufacturing process for the recombinant version, according to Life Therapeutics' executive vice chairman John Manusu.