Sirona Biochem Billion Dollar Skin Lightening Opportunity With TFC-1067 Compound
Sirona Biochem is the center of attention on signing a landmark licensing deal for its proprietary skin-lightening compound with a company topping billions of dollars in sales. The signing of the deal comes at a time of growing demand for skin lightening products with the market poised to reach $20 billion by 2022.
Sirona | Rodan + Field Deal
The cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company remain well positioned to generate significant value on the burgeoning skin lightening market. Backed by a proprietary platform technology that has already given rise to TFC-1067, the company is already eliciting strong interest from some of the biggest skin care brands.
The signing of a term sheet with Rodan + Fields LLC for proprietary TFC-1067 compound might as well have opened the door for the company to generate significant value going forward. Under the terms of the agreement, Sirona Biochem is to manufacture and supply TFC-1067 for use by Rodan + Fields in its products.
The company stands to generate significant revenues on the sale of the skin-lightening compound. In addition, it is entitled to a fee by Rodan + Fields on the signing of the definitive agreement. The company will also earn milestone fees on each product that Rodan + Fields sales, utilizing the skin-lightening agent TFC-1067. The two have also agreed to establish regular formal meetings to explore future opportunities.
A partnership with Rodan + Fields marks an important milestone as Sirona Biochem seeks to generate significant value from its proprietary skin lighting compound. Skincare brand Rodan + Fields has generated more than $1 billion in sales since 2016, seen as an ideal partner for Sirona after years of TFC-1067 R&D investments.
The compound stands out in part because it is superior to current actives in the market in addition to being safe and free of hydroquinone. TFC-1067 has also proved to be superior in the treatment of dyschromia with no adverse effects.
The use of TFC-1067 in Rodan + Fields products opens the door for Sirona Biochem to recoup a substantial amount of money spent on the development of the skin lighting agent.
“After many years of developing TFC-1067 with the support of the French government and European Union in the Cosmetic Valley, France, we are excited to partner with skincare industry leader Rodan + Fields. This marks an important milestone for Sirona Biochem,” explained Dr. Howard Verrico CEO of Sirona Biochem.
Skin Lightening Opportunity
Sirona Biochem is on the cusp of something great in the skin care market. The company has already secured a U.S patent for the flagship skin-lightening agent TFC-1067 further strengthening its IP portfolio. The new patent adds to similar patents granted in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
With the patent, the company can now pursue licensing deals similar to the one signed with Rodan + Fields. Such deals should go a long way in helping the company strengthen its revenue streams through licensing fees as well as milestone fees and royalty payments.
Sirona Biochem is currently in advanced negotiations in North America and Asia as it eyes licensing deals for the skin-lightening compound. Given the potential impact of TFC-1067 in the multi-billion dollar skin lightening market, the company could be a potential acquisition target for big companies wishing to own TFC-1067 outright.
- Published in Bio technology, Dermatology, Sirona Biochem, Skin Care
Sirona Biochem Announces Chief Scientific Officer to Present at Adaptations in Polar Environments and Biomimicry
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: February 2, 2018
Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX VENTURE: SBM)(FRANKFURT: ZSB)(XETRA: ZSB) (the “Company”) announced today that Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Geraldine Deliencourt-Godefroy will attend and present at the Paris symposium: Adaptations in Polar Environments and Biomimicry.
The conference showcases animal adaptations to extreme polar environments, and how these adaptations have inspired commercial technology. Dr. Deliencourt-Godefroy will present on February 3rd at 11:00 AM CET, on the glycoproteins that were discovered in Arctic fishes and her advancement of the technology in human cell preservation. Her talk can be streamed live at:
https://cite-sciences.ubicast.tv/permalink/l1253c0f84c1fnr2u6ni/iframe/
NB: the conference is held in French.
About Milieux Polaires et Biomimétisme and Poles Actions
The yearly symposium is organized by Poles Actions and is dedicated to polar biomimicry.
The association of Poles Actions is intended to promote the knowledge and the protection of Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems through awareness, education and support for research in polar and subpolar regions. It acts as a nonpartisan, objective and scientifically credible channel of communication, based on the activities and experience of its members and external stakeholders. It organizes educational interventions, exhibitions, conferences and scientific expeditions to help publicize and protect these fragile ecosystems. For more information, visit: http://www.ourspolaire.org/
About Sirona Biochem Corp.
Sirona Biochem is a cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company with a proprietary platform technology. Sirona specializes in stabilizing carbohydrate molecules with the goal of improving efficacy and safety. New compounds are patented for maximum revenue potential.
Sirona’s compounds are licensed to leading companies around the world in return for licensing fees, milestone fees and ongoing royalty payments. Sirona’s laboratory, TFChem, is located in France and is the recipient of multiple French national scientific awards and European Union and French government grants. For more information, please visit www.sironabiochem.com.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochem’s forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochem’s business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
For more information regarding this press release, please contact:
Christopher Hopton
CFO
Sirona Biochem Corp.
Phone: 1.604.282.6064
Email: chopton@sironabiochem.com
- Published in Sirona Biochem
The Fountain of Youth May Be Just Around the Corner In Vancouver
The Fountain of Youth May Be Just Around the Corner In Vancouver
Sirona Biochem makes safer and more effective cosmeceuticals
Vancouver-based Sirona Biochem is on track to crack the global market for skin lightening products, a market that has been predicted by Global Industry Analysts to hit US$23 billion by 2020. If that isn’t enough the company is also developing a product designed to forestall facial aging. Zion Market Research pegs the global anti-aging market at US$216.52 billion by 2021. The Company’s skin lightening products are far safer and far more effective than those which are currently on the market.
In hindsight it is not that surprising that Vancouver is becoming a hotbed of discovery when it comes to turning back the ravages of time. Botox as we know it today for the cosmetics industry, after all, was popularized in Vancouver by the husband and wife team of ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers and dermatologist Alistair Carruthers. They discovered that a toxin named botox helped eradicate the lines and wrinkles caused by aging.
Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V:SBM) is a discovery and development stage biochem company that has developed a proprietary way to treat carbohydrate molecules using fluorination chemistry. This process prevents molecules from breaking down when exposed to enzymes. This now opens the door to developing a new field of therapeutics.
The company also has an anti-aging product based on synthesizing the glycoprotein found in the blood serum of Antarctic water fish and is currently in the testing and validation stage. The glycoprotein helps preserve the fish and its cells from the freezing water. When applied to humans, it helps prevent skin cells from dying, and also protects them from the harsh glare of ultra-violet radiation.
The good news for Sirona, however, doesn’t stop there. The company believes their stabilized carbohydrate molecules have applications in the treatment of cancer, pain, diabetes and inflammation. Sirona has developed an SGLT2 inhibitor as a Type 2 Diabetes treatment. Research and consulting firm Global Data has predicted that the global type 2 diabetes market will almost double from US$31.2 billion in 2015 to US58.7 billion by 2025.
SGLT2 inhibitors are a recent development in the fight against Type 2 diabetes. Most traditional diabetes treatments work by controlling insulin production or regulating blood sugar levels. SGLT2 inhibitors work by acting in the kidneys to reduce the reabsorption of glucose into the bloodstream.
Sirona’s strategy is to do the basic discovery and development work on a given product, and then to license the technique or joint venture it for commercialization, marketing and distribution. In 2014 the company signed a licensing agreement with Wanbang Biopharmaceuticals for the Chinese market. Wanbang will develop and commercialize Sirona’s SGLT2 inhibitor exclusively in the People’s Republic of China. The company also has a licensing agreement with Obagi Medical Products for a skin lightening agent.
Sirona Biochem was founded in 2009 by CEO Dr. Howard Verrico. The first thing Verrico did was to acquire the exclusive global license from TFChem for its proprietary SGLT2 Inhibitor. TFChem is based in Rouen, France. Verrico thought enough of TFChem’s research that he then went on to acquire TFChem as a wholly-owned subsidiary from its founder Dr. Geraldine Deliencourt-Godefroy. She then became Sirona’s Chief Science Officer and largest shareholder. TFChem now acts as Sirona’s research and development laboratory. A respected scientist, Deliencourt-Godefroy has also received a variety of honours in France including the acclaimed Francinov Research and Innovation Medal, the French Ministry of Research Award and the French Senate Award.
The company sees the cosmetic and cosmeceutical industry as its first major market penetration target for two important reasons. The first is that, as noted above, the financial reward for creating a fountain of youth will be immense. Secondly, the amount of regulatory testing for cosmetics is miniscule when compared to that involved in the pharmaceutical industry. The company intends to use the cash flow created by its anti-aging platform and skin colour lightening products, to finance the creation of more traditionally flavoured therapies for things like cell preservation and anti-inflammatories.
The company’s development focus is based on three high-return fields of discovery and development:
- Therapeutics: diabetes, anti-inflammatories and anti-infectives
- Cosmeceuticals: anti-aging and depigmenting agents
- Biological Ingredients: inducers and adjuvants for biological development and preservation.
With an SLGT2 inhibitor in the pre-clinical stage and four cosmetic products in the testing and validation phase, the company has received revenues and will continue to do so in the future from Wanbang for its SLGT2 inhibitor. Sirona also receives revenue from Obagi Medical products for a skin lightener, one of three skin lightening agents under development. It is also working on an acne treatment, an anti-inflammatory and an anti-infective.
Much of Sirona’s work is ground-breaking. Stabilizing carbohydrate molecules opens up new fields for therapeutic interventions and may rejuvenate older treatments which became stalled. Synthesizing the glycoprotein found in the blood serum of Antarctic fish may produce a product that slows down the aging of skin. One way to illustrate its potential value is that when TFChem first synthesized the glycoprotein, cosmetic giant L’Oreal Group, the world’s largest cosmetics company slapped a field-of-use patent on it. As it turns out the first synthesis was not stable, but the later ones were, and L’Oreal was out of luck.
While Sirona is concentrating on developing cosmetic products, it hasn’t neglected the medical side of things. The company has a pipeline of products that are heading towards the market. The anti-aging compound is now in the testing and validation phase.
The company has a 52-week high of $0.20 and a 52-week low of $0.12. As of June 16, 2017, it was trading at $0.17. And if you were wondering, Sirona is the name of the Celtic goddess of healing.
- Published in Bio technology, Blog, Sirona Biochem, Technology
Sirona Biochem Closes Convertible Note Financing
Sirona Biochem Closes Convertible Note Financing
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: June 5, 2017
VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – June 05, 2017) – Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX VENTURE: SBM) (FRANKFURT: ZSB)(XETRA: ZSB) is pleased to announce that it has closed the non-brokered private placement (the “Private Placement”) of convertible notes (“Notes”). The financing was oversubscribed, resulting in gross proceeds of $587,000. Each Note is convertible at the option of the holder into one common share of the company at a conversion price of $0.18 per share.
The Notes will mature in 18 months from the date of issuance and bear interest at the rate of 12{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} per annum, payable quarterly, until the Notes are converted or repaid. The company will be entitled to repay the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, at any time commencing four months after the date of issuance, subject to giving the holders prior notice thereof to permit holders to convert during the notice period.
All securities issued in connection with the private placement will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring on October 5, 2017.
About Sirona Biochem Corp.
Sirona Biochem is a cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company with a proprietary platform technology. Sirona specializes in stabilizing carbohydrate molecules with the goal of improving efficacy and safety. New compounds are patented for maximum revenue potential.
Sirona’s compounds are licensed to leading companies around the world in return for licensing fees, milestone fees and ongoing royalty payments. Sirona’s laboratory, TFChem, is located in France and is the recipient of multiple French national scientific awards and European Union and French government grants. For more information, please visit www.sironabiochem.com.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochem’s forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochem’s business including, without limitation, statements about: a third party potential licensees of TFC-1067 may not deliver a term sheet to the company in Q1 2017 or at all; the company may not be able to negotiate a license agreement with a potential licensees of TFC-1067 on terms acceptable to Sirona Biochem; the progress and timing of its clinical trials are uncertain; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of the company’s or licensed products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for the company’s or licensed products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
For more information regarding this press release, please contact:
Christopher Hopton
CFO
Sirona Biochem Corp.
Phone: 1.604.282.6064
Email: chopton@sironabiochem.com
- Published in Bio technology, News Home, Sirona Biochem, Technology
Medical Marijuana – 8 Uses of Cannabinoids
Medical Marijuana – 8 Uses of Cannabinoids
– Momentum Public Relations –
Canada has come a long way in regards to medical marijuana. It wasn’t that long ago that any mention of marijuana automatically conjured an image of a stereotypical stoner eating snacks on the couch. As the national conversation in Canada shifts towards the possibility of fully legalizing marijuana for adult users, many Canadians still have questions about medical marijuana and exactly what it is able to do. To answer those questions, we want to cover exactly what makes marijuana work as a form of medicine, as well as eight different medical use cases for marijuana:
Cannabinoids are the Key to Medical Marijuana
The reason marijuana can help people with different medical conditions is because it contains cannabinoids. The term cannabinoids refers to the active chemicals that are found in cannabis (marijuana). These chemicals are what causes the drug-like effects associated with marijuana usage. The two areas of the body that are most impacted by cannabinoids are the central nervous and immune systems.
Of the various cannabinoids found in marijuana, one of the most active and notable is delta-9-THC. More commonly identified simply as THC, this is the cannabinoid that’s responsible for the “high” associated with smoking marijuana. The other cannabinoid that’s important to note is cannabidiol (CBD). When isolated, CBD can lower inflammation or relieve pain without creating any of the effects associated with THC.
8 Medical Uses of Cannabinoids
The reason that Canadian companies like InMed Pharmaceuticals (IN:CSE) are investing so much R&D into drug discovery and development around cannabinoids is there are already numerous examples of their medical uses. Those uses include:
- Pain Management: Cannabinoids can be used to manage many different types of chronic pain. They are especially effective at managing pain that results from nerve damage. Cannabinoids make it possible for chronic pain sufferers to improve their quality of life without the risk of addiction and fatal overdose that opiates carry.
- Multiple Sclerosis: One of the effects of this condition is it causes painful muscle spasms. Individuals who have MS can use cannabinoids to help treat spasms and lessen their severity.
- Nausea: Individuals with AIDS and cancer patients are two examples of groups that struggle with significant nausea. Cannabinoids are very effective at lessening or completely stopping nausea in those types of people.
- Appetite Stimulant: In addition to significantly helping with nausea, cannabinoids are also an effective way to boost appetite. While lots of snacking is commonly portrayed in stereotypes of stoners, plenty of people with legitimate eating problems greatly benefit from this use of cannabinoids
- Epilepsy: Cannabinoids have been shown to dramatically reduce seizures in many people with epilepsy. For children with epilepsy and other patients, a cannabis oil that’s high in CBD and low in THC makes it possible to manage epilepsy without the typical side effects of feeling stoned.
- Crohn’s Disease: This disease causes bowel inflammation and commonly irritates the small intestine. Cannabinoids can lessen the need for someone with Crohn’s to take other types of medication. It can also reduce the likelihood of a person with Crohn’s Disease needing surgery.
- Cancer Treatment: Not only can cannabinoids help cancer patients manage their pain, but both THC and CBD have been shown to slow or even halt the growth of cancer cells.
- Parkinson’s Disease: Although studies have found that cannabinoids don’t help with the motor symptoms of this disease, cannabinoids have been shown to help reduce the tremors and stiffness associated with Parkinson’s.
While only time will tell whether or not marijuana will be legalized for all recreational users in Canada, there’s no doubt that significant progress will continue to be made within the realm of medical marijuana and using cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes.
- Published in Blog, InMed Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, Medical Marijuana
Cannabinoids – Investors See Green
Cannabinoids – Investors See Green
Momentum Public Relations
The current debate in Canada around legalizing or decriminalizing the use of marijuana is highlighting potential for mainstream investors to capitalize on opportunities being created by companies who are pioneers in developing medical products made from cannabis. The recent election of the Trudeau government has triggered anticipation that important reforms and regulatory changes will be introduced to fulfill promises that were included in the Liberal Party’s platform.
Scientists today have a better understanding of how the various molecules and compounds in cannabis trigger a response in human beings. This is permitting new classes of pharmaceutical products to emerge offering investors opportunities that eclipse the returns that can be generated in some of the more mature pharmaceutical segments.
InMed Pharmaceuticals (IN:CSE) http://www.inmedpharma.com is a leader in a growing segment that is seeking to identify new bioactive compounds in cannabis plants that may interact with certain genes that cause specific diseases or medical conditions. Their pioneering research is opening the door to new therapies that meet the needs of patients who suffer from a variety of illnesses including debilitating dermatological conditions and ocular nerve disorders like glaucoma. These new therapies are expected to generate substantial returns for investors.
Marijuana, in its many different forms, contains a variety of active ingredients. One of these ingredients, perhaps the most well known entity, is a cannabinoid known as tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This is the primary psychoactive compound of cannabis. THC was first synthesized by Dr. R. Mechoulan at Jerusalem University in 1964. Since that time researchers have identified and isolated at least 85 different cannabinoids from cannabis, each with its own effects. Opportunities to investigate these effects and produce useful therapies is creating a potential pipeline of commercially viable pharmaceutical products as a result of the evolving public perception, advances in scientific knowledge and changes in laws and regulations
For most of the 20th century, marijuana was classified as an illegal drug in most jurisdictions in North America and Europe. It’s use, in a number of forms, was partially revived in the 1960’s as part of a counter cultural movement. Despite a well documented history of medical applications that date back to 2500 BC, the more recent mainstream public perception of cannabis was limited to publicity that highlighted the various negative consequences of smoking marijuana. This perspective, and the laws that were enacted that criminalized the possession of quantities of cannabis in any form, created an environment that impeded serious scientific investigation of its potential medicinal properties.
The use of cannabis in medicine is not a recent phenomenon. It actually pre-dates recorded history. There is clear evidence that a number of medicinal properties were well understood by Chinese emperors, Egyptian Pharaohs and Greek Philosophers. It was used by physicians in ancient times to treat ailments as diverse as glaucoma, gout, indigestion and anxiety. Eventually a debate about its use emerged among physicians. Around 900 AD two highly respected Islamic doctors had widely disparate opinions on the usefulness and efficacy of marijuana.
Eventually cannabis emerged in North America, primarily in the form of hemp. Two of the founding fathers of the United States of America, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both highly curious scientist-farmers, carefully documented experiments that they conducted in growing hemp and investigating a variety of medicinal uses for it.
At the beginning of the 20th century there was a movement to regulate and classify any product that made a medical claim. In 1906 President Teddy Roosevelt signed the Wiley Act into law. This legislation became the foundation for future food and drug related regulation. The objective of politicians and the medical community was to regulate or ban products that made health related claims but lacked any scientific credibility or were proven to be dangerous.
Marijuana, and its chemistry, was not well understood in that era and efforts were made to determine if it had helpful medicinal properties or if it was highly addictive. By the 1930’s there was considerable discussion around marijuana. In 1940 a committee of medical practitioners was established by the state of New York to study its use and effects. This was known as the “LaGuardia committee on the use of marihuana” (note the different spelling). The report that was produced in 1944 did not provide a clear recommendation on restricting its use. It did suggest that there was no evidence that that it was addictive or led to other more serious addictions.
“The practice of smoking marihuana does not lead to addiction in the medical sense of the word. The use of marihuana does not lead to morphine or heroin or cocaine addiction.” – LaGuardia committee report on the use of Marihuana (1944)
Nonetheless, the fact that cannabis was not treated as a legal compound led to an underground trade for recreational purposes. This discouraged investigation by medical researchers within the scientific community throughout most of the late 20th century. However, this is changing rapidly in the 21st century.
With accelerated scientific knowledge fueled by technology and communication, cannabinoid science is emerging into the mainstream. Scientists and medical professionals are already participating in trials that are being conducted to test new compounds from cannabinoids. Additional medical advances cannot be not far behind. Additionally, the anticipated change in the regulatory environment can only further fuel opportunities.
- Published in Blog, InMed Pharmaceuticals, Medical Marijuana
Sirona Presents New Results From Glycoprotein Program at BIO-Europe
Sirona Biochem Presents New Results From Glycoprotein Program at BIO-Europe
Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX VENTURE: SBM) (FRANKFURT: ZSB) (the “Company“) announces that its Chief Business Development Officer, Attila Hajdu, will be presenting at BIO-Europe on November 4, 2015, at 10:15 am GMT at the International Congress Centre in Munich, Germany.
New results from the glycoprotein program for anti-aging and regenerative medicine will be presented, including positive efficacy data and potential new collaborative projects with cosmetic companies.
The conference is attended by major multinational pharmaceutical corporations and provides further opportunities to engage leading companies in partnering discussions for the newest skin-lightener, SBM-TFC-1067 (1067) and the glycoprotein compounds SBM-TFC-837,1165 and 1287.
“Clearly, we have significantly progressed partnering discussions for 1067 with a select group of companies that have been testing our compound since June, including formulation testing,” said Attila Hajdu. “This conference provides an opportunity to broaden the base of companies interested in licensing 1067. We were very excited about the interest from several new companies following Cosmetic 360 in Paris.”
Major companies attending the conference include Allergan, GSK, JT Pharma, Pfizer and many others.
BIO-Europe® is the EBD Group’s flagship conference, and continues the tradition of providing life science companies with high caliber partnering opportunities. BIO-Europe is organized by EBD Group, the leading partnering firm for the global biotechnology industry, in alliance with the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). For more information please visit the conference website at http://www.ebdgroup.com/bes.
About Sirona Biochem
Sirona Biochem is a cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company with a proprietary technology platform developed at its laboratory facility in France. The Company specializes in the stabilization of carbohydrate molecules, with the goal of improving compounds’ efficacy and safety. Sirona Biochem’s compounds are patented as new chemical entities for maximum commercial protection and revenue potential. Newly developed compounds are licensed to leading companies around the world in return for licensing and milestone fees and ongoing royalty payments. TFChem, Sirona Biochem’s wholly-owned French laboratory, is a recipient of multiple French national scientific awards and a European Union and French government grant. For more information visit www.sironabiochem.com.
- Published in Blog, Life Sciences