MediBeacon Inc.が独Mannheim Pharma & Diagnosticsの買収を完了

AsiaNet 64724（0716）

【セントルイス2016年6月9日PR Newswire＝共同通信JBN】

＊技術が前臨床アプリケーションでの腎機能測定を可能に

腎機能、胃腸管透過性、その他の光起動診断向けに独自の非侵襲性リアルタイムのモニター・システムを製造しているMediBeacon（TM）Inc.（本社セントルイス）はドイツ・マンハイムに本社を置く生命科学企業Mannheim Pharma & Diagnosticsの買収を完了した。

MediBeaconは有力な医学校、学術センター、研究機関、医薬品会社でのMannheim Pharma & Diagnosticsの技術の利用拡大を続ける。この技術の利用は腎臓治療薬の前臨床評価、腎毒性の評価、動物での腎機能の基礎的理解を強化する。

小さなコインほどのサイズの同社のユニークな機器は動物の体に置かれる。これによって研究者は観察期間中拘束する必要なしに動物の腎機能を長時間計測、追跡することができる。腎臓によって完全に排出される蛍光剤で管理される。この機器は人体への使用は承認されていない。さらにMannheim Pharma & Diagnosticsは経皮的腎臓機能測定法に関連するいくつかの特許を保有している。

買収した技術は蛍光追跡剤のポートフォリオを含むMediBeaconの堅実な知的財産に加わる。人体での使用向けに設計されているMediBeaconのシステムは現在臨床試験段階にある。このシステムは光が存在すると輝く独自の薬剤と組み合わせた光皮膚センサーで構成されている。MediBeaconは患者の腎機能、腎糸球体ろ過率（mGFR）の継続的なリアルタイムのモニタリングを臨床医に提供できる腎機能モニター・システムの開発に注力している。最初の臨床研究の結果は2015年の米国腎臓学会（ASA）腎臓ウィークで報告された。

経営面ではMediBeaconは欧州でダニエル・ショック・クシュ博士が指揮する販売、エンジニアリングへの投資を行う。ショック・クシュ博士はMediBeaconの欧州子会社に加わった3人の博士号を持つ科学者の1人である。さらに、Mannheim Pharma & Diagnosticsの共同創設者で最高経営責任者（CEO）も務めた医師のヨハネス・ピル博士はMediBeaconにコンサルタントとして入社した。

ピル教授は「MediBeaconの販売、マーケティング経験と強力な知的財産ポートフォリオは腎臓の健康に前向きの影響を及ぼし、他の診断アプリケーションを改善するという目標の達成を助けるだろう」と語った。

MediBeaconのリチャード・ドーショウ共同創設者兼最高科学責任者は「この買収で巨大なエンジニアリングの才能がわが社に集まり、これによってMediBeaconは重要な研究、動物健康市場に敏速に参入できる」と述べた。

MediBeaconの投資家にはHC2 Holdings, Inc.の全面所有子会社であるPansend Life Science, LLCが含まれている。

▽MediBeacon Inc.について

MediBeaconは2012年にConvidienの医薬品事業であるMallinckrodtから光学的診断プログラムを買収するために特別に設立された。MediBeaconの使命は生理学的モニター、手術誘導、人間での病理学的疾患の画像化のために生物適合性のある光学的診断薬剤を商業化することである。これらの領域でのいくつかの製品コンセプトはMediBeaconの知的財産に含まれている。

MediBeaconについての詳しい情報は www.medibeacon.com を参照。

▽HC2 Holdings, Inc.について

HC2 Holdings, Inc.は株式が公開取引されている多角化持株会社で、すべての利害関係者に長期的で持続可能で自由なキャッシュフローと魅力的な収益を生み出せる事業を買収、成長させる機会を求めている。HC2は製造、海運サービス、公益事業、電気通信、保険、生命科学など7つの要報告分野で多様な営業子会社を持っている。HC2の最大の営業子会社には、米国の有力な構造鋼材製造会社、組立て会社のSchuff International, Inc.、海底ケーブルのエンジニアリングと海中サービスの有力なプロバイダーであるGlobal Marine Systems Limitedがある。HC2の創立は1994年、本社は米バージニア州ハーンドン。

▽問い合わせ先

Steven J. Hanley

MediBeacon Inc.

Office - +1 314-269-5808

Email - Hanley@medibeacon.com

www.medibeacon.com

HC2 Holdings, Inc.に関する情報の問い合わせ先:

Andrew G. Backman

Managing Director - Investor Relations & Public Relations

abackman@hc2.com

+1 212-339-5836

ソース：MediBeacon Inc.

MediBeacon(TM) Inc. Acquires Mannheim Pharma & Diagnostics

PR64724

ST. LOUIS, June 9, 2016 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

       -- Technology enables kidney function measurement in preclinical

applications

St. Louis-based MediBeacon(TM) Inc., maker of proprietary, non-invasive,

real-time monitoring systems for kidney function, gastrointestinal permeability

and other light-activated diagnostics, has completed the acquisition of

Mannheim Pharma & Diagnostics, a life science company based in Mannheim,

Germany.

MediBeacon will continue to expand the use of Mannheim Pharma & Diagnostics'

technology in leading medical schools, academic centers, research institutes

and pharmaceutical companies.  Use of the technology enhances preclinical

assessment of kidney therapeutics, evaluation of nephrotoxicity and fundamental

understanding of kidney function in animals.

Their unique device, which is the size of a small coin, is placed on the

animal's body. It allows researchers to calculate and track the animal's kidney

function over time - without requiring the animal to be restrained during

monitoring. A fluorescent agent, which is eliminated entirely by the kidney, is

administered. The device is not approved for human use. In addition, Mannheim

Pharma & Diagnostics holds several patents pertaining to their transdermal

kidney function measurement methodology.

The acquired technology adds to MediBeacon's robust intellectual property

estate, which includes a portfolio of fluorescent tracer agents. MediBeacon's

system that is designed for human use is currently in clinical trials. This

system consists of an optical skin sensor combined with a proprietary agent

that glows in the presence of light. MediBeacon is focused on the development

of a renal function monitoring system, which can provide clinicians continuous

real-time monitoring of a patient's kidney function or measured Glomerular

Filtration Rate (mGFR). Results of the initial clinical studies were presented

at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week in 2015.

Operationally, MediBeacon will make ongoing investments in the sales and

engineering organization, led by Dr. Daniel Schock-Kusch in Europe. Dr.

Schock-Kusch is one of three Ph.D. scientists who have joined MediBeacon's

European affiliate. In addition, Dr. Johannes Pill, a physician, cofounder and

past CEO of Mannheim Pharma & Diagnostics joins MediBeacon as a consultant.

Professor Pill said, "MediBeacon's sales and marketing experience and strong

intellectual property portfolio will help us achieve our goal of positively

impacting kidney health and improving other diagnostic applications."  

"This acquisition brings tremendous engineering talent to the company and will

allow MediBeacon to quickly enter the important research and animal health

marketplace," said Dr. Richard Dorshow, MediBeacon's cofounder and chief

scientific officer.

MediBeacon's investors include Pansend Life Sciences, LLC, a wholly owned

subsidiary of HC2 Holdings, Inc.

About MediBeacon Inc.

MediBeacon was formed in 2012 specifically to acquire the optical diagnostic

program from Mallinckrodt, the pharmaceuticals business of Covidien.

MediBeacon's mission is to commercialize biocompatible optical diagnostic

agents for physiological monitoring, surgical guidance, and imaging of

pathological disease in the human population. Several product concepts in these

arenas are contained in the MediBeacon Intellectual Property estate.

Learn more about MediBeacon at www.medibeacon.com.

About HC2 Holdings, Inc.

HC2 Holdings, Inc. is a publicly traded diversified holding company, which

seeks opportunities to acquire and grow businesses that can generate long-term

sustainable free cash flow and attractive returns in order to maximize value

for all stakeholders. HC2 has a diverse array of operating subsidiaries across

seven reportable segments, including Manufacturing, Marine Services, Utilities,

Telecommunications, Insurance, Life Sciences and Other. HC2's largest operating

subsidiaries include Schuff International, Inc., a leading structural steel

fabricator and erector in the United States, and Global Marine Systems Limited,

a leading provider of engineering and underwater services on submarine cables.

Founded in 1994, HC2 is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of

1995: This release contains, and certain oral statements made by our

representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements.

Generally, forward-looking statements include information describing actions,

events, results, strategies and expectations and are generally identifiable by

use of the words "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans,"

"seeks," "estimates," "projects," "may," "will," "could," "might," "continues"

or similar expressions. These statements are based on the beliefs and

assumptions of HC2`s management and the management of HC2`s subsidiaries. The

company believes these judgments are reasonable, but you should understand that

these statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and the

company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the

forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, both positive

and negative, that may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports on

Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Factors that could cause actual results, events and

developments to differ include, without limitation, capital market conditions,

the ability of HC2`s subsidiaries to generate sufficient net income and cash

flows to make upstream cash distributions, trading characteristics of the HC2

common stock, the ability of HC2 and its subsidiaries to identify any suitable

future acquisition opportunities, our ability to realize efficiencies, cost

savings, income and margin improvements, growth, economies of scale and other

anticipated benefits of strategic transactions, integrating financial reporting

of acquired or target businesses, completing pending and future acquisitions

and dispositions, litigation and other contingent liabilities, changes in

regulations, taxes and risks that may affect the performance of the operating

subsidiaries of HC2. Additional information concerning these and other factors

can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,

including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form

10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All

forward-looking statements attributable to the company or persons acting on its

behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary

statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and the company

undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking

statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:

Steven J. Hanley

MediBeacon Inc.

Office - +1 314-269-5808

Email - Hanley@medibeacon.com  

www.medibeacon.com   

For information on HC2 Holdings, Inc., please contact:

Andrew G. Backman

Managing Director - Investor Relations & Public Relations

abackman@hc2.com   

+1 212-339-5836

SOURCE: MediBeacon Inc.