Bristol-Myers Squibb Exercises Option to License Phyton's Plant Cell Culture Technology

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company has exercised its exclusive option to license Phyton's proprietary plant cell culture technology for the production of the anticancer drug TAXOL(R) (paclitaxel) and various related substances. This technology represents a new method of producing paclitaxel that requires neither the bark of trees nor cultivated plants. Initially, the only approved source of paclitaxel for human use was the bark of the endangered Pacific yew tree. In 1994, however, Bristol-Myers Squibb won approval for semisynthetic paclitaxel produced from renewable plant sources such as the twigs and needles of yew varieties. Phyton's plant cell culture technology has the potential to become an important tool for drug discovery, as the DNA blueprints for many plants are larger than the human genome and encoded in them may be many novel therapeutics.

Key Takeaways:

• Bristol-Myers Squibb has exercised its exclusive option to license Phyton's proprietary plant cell culture technology for the production of paclitaxel.
• The technology requires neither the bark of trees nor cultivated plants, offering an alternative to traditional methods of paclitaxel production.
• Phyton's plant cell culture technology has the potential to become an important tool for drug discovery, as the DNA blueprints for many plants are larger than the human genome and encoded in them may be many novel therapeutics.
• The technology is attractive because it affords high controllability compared to other methods, utilizing both advanced biotechnology and traditional fermentation techniques.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb and Phyton first entered into a collaborative research and development contract in September 1991 to test the technical feasibility of producing paclitaxel from Phyton's plant cell culture process.
• In 1993, the companies established a strategic development collaboration agreement to further develop the large-scale production of paclitaxel.
• According to Leon Rosenberg, M.D., president of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute, "TAXOL(R) is a powerful new weapon in the war against ovarian and breast cancer, and ongoing clinical studies continue to investigate its potential in lung and other cancers."

Statistics:

• In 1994, Bristol-Myers Squibb won approval for semisynthetic paclitaxel produced from renewable plant sources such as the twigs and needles of yew varieties.
• Phyton's plant cell culture technology has the potential to become an important tool for drug discovery, as the DNA blueprints for many plants are larger than the human genome and encoded in them may be many novel therapeutics.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb is among the world's leading makers of cardiovascular, anticancer, anti-infective, central nervous system, and dermatological drug therapies, non-prescription medicines, orthopaedic devices, and wound management, and specialized nutritional and personal care products.

Sources:

• PR Newswire, May 16, 1995
• Bristol-Myers Squibb press releases are available at no charge through PR Newswire's Company News On-Call fax service
• Phyton, Inc.
• K. Venkat, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Phyton, Inc., 607-257-5058