The partnership with NASDAQ-listed, biopharmaceutical innovator Acasti Pharma Inc., will see Aker BioMarine supply krill oil as core ingredient for innovative new hypertriglyceridemia drug
Aker BioMarine’s raw krill oil is used by the Canadian company to create its CaPre development prescription drug, a highly purified omega-3 phospholipid concentrate, designed to treat severe hypertriglyceridemia. A chronic, metabolic condition that contributes to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis, hypertriglyceridemia affects an estimated one third of the U.S. population alone.
The agreement ensures an adequate raw krill oil supply to meet Acasti’s needs, including the anticipated scale-up of production prior to the drug’s commercial launch. Furthermore, Acasti was granted certain intellectual property rights, and the parties have agreed to contemplate future commercial collaborations.
“We are excited to partner with Acasti to support the commercialization of the first ever, krill oil-based, prescription drug product, which we believe has genuine potential to become the best-in-class omega-3 therapeutic for the management of cardiometabolic disorders,” said Tim de Haas, EVP Human Health & Nutrition, Aker BioMarine. Adding, “We look forward to continue working with their team on supply initiatives to support this product’s path to market.”
Commenting on the deal Pierre Lemieux, Ph.D. and Acasti’s COO/CSO said, “Aker BioMarine produces high quality krill oil, which is sustainably harvested and has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This supply agreement secures a reliable source of high-quality starting material for CaPre, which we expect will meet our near-term commercial growth aspirations. In addition, we have plans to leverage Aker BioMarine’s expertise and look forward to collaborating on future projects together."
The new drug is in the final stages of testing, prior to U.S. Food and Drug Administration application and approval, and ultimately commercial launch.
For more information please contact:
Katrin Berntsen
Communications Director
+47 920 54 570
Email: katrin.berntsen@akerbiomarine.com
Aker BioMarine is a biotech innovator and Antarctic krill-harvesting company, dedicated to improving human and planetary health. The company develops krill-based ingredients for nutraceutical, aquaculture, and animal feed applications. The company’s fully transparent value chain stretches from sustainable krill harvesting in pristine Antarctic waters through its Montevideo logistics hub, Houston production plant, and all the way to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.akerbiomarine.com.
Acasti Pharma is a biopharmaceutical innovator advancing a potentially best-in-class cardiovascular drug, CaPre® (omega-3 phospholipid), for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia, a chronic condition affecting an estimated one third of the U.S. population. Since its founding in 2008, Acasti Pharma has focused on addressing a critical market need for an effective, safe and well-absorbing omega-3 therapeutic that can make a positive impact on the major blood lipids associated with cardiovascular disease risk. The company is developing CaPre in a Phase 3 clinical program in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, a market that includes 3 to 4 million patients in the U.S. The addressable market may expand significantly if omega-3s demonstrate long-term cardiovascular benefits in on-going third party outcomes studies. Acasti may need to conduct at least one additional clinical trial to support FDA approval of a supplemental New Drug Application to expand CaPre’s indications to this segment. Acasti’s strategy is to commercialize CaPre in the U.S. and the company is pursuing development and distribution partnerships to market CaPre in major countries around the world. For more information, visit www.acastipharma.com.