Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: PPHM) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for cancer and a wide range of viral diseases.
Peregrine technologies target various physical structures common to tumors or infected cells as a means to selectively target therapy and diagnostics, while sparing normal, healthy cells. The company’s most advanced research focus is on the development of therapeutic compounds that specifically target and act upon features of cancer and viral infections, including the blood vessels feeding tumors, distinctive features in the central core of tumors and human host cells that have been infected with viruses. By targeting these features associated with illness, Peregrine’s agents have the potential for enhanced efficacy and safety compared to conventional approaches.
Peregrine’s most advanced platform technologies include phosphatidylserine (PS)-targeting therapy for cancers and for viral diseases (
Oncology – Technical Overview/Bavituximab, and
Infectious Disease - PS Technology Overview) and tumor necrosis therapy (TNT) (
Oncology – Technical Overview/ Cotara®). The company is pursuing three separate clinical programs in cancer and anti-viral indications with its lead PS-targeting and TNT product candidates. Bavituximab, the company’s unique approach to treating cancer and serious viral infections, is currently in two separate clinical programs -- bavituximab anti-viral is in Phase I studies for hepatitis C infection and bavituximab anti-cancer is in Phase II trials for solid tumor cancers. Peregrine’s lead tumor necrosis therapy product, Cotara® is in Phase II development for malignant brain cancer.
In addition Peregrine is involved in active collaborations with several leading American and international research institutions funded by the NIH, the Gates Foundation, and the U.S Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Our collaborators are investigating our PS-targeting monoclonal antibodies for their therapeutic and preventative potential against HIV infection, viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), influenza, cytomegalovirus, and pox viruses. Additionally, our antibodies are currently being assessed for their potential as vaccine adjuvants and in topical microbicide formulations to prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted pathogens including HIV and herpes viruses.
Peregrine is also pursuing earlier stage technologies including Vasopermeation Enhancement Agents that enhance the performance of standard cancer drugs, as well as fusion proteins consisting of signaling or cytotoxic molecules joined to targeted antibodies.
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals also has a wholly-owned manufacturing subsidiary
Avid Bioservices. Avid maintains and operates a state-of-the-art current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) facility to produce monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins to diagnose and treat human diseases. The facility was recently expanded with the installation of a 1,000-liter mammalian cell culture bioreactor. Avid manufactures research and clinical products for Peregrine and for external customers.
Peregrine was founded in 1981 as the Techniclone Corporation and changed its name to Peregrine Pharmaceuticals in 2000. The company went public in 1995 and is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Peregrine and Avid are headquartered in Tustin, California.
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