GUELPH, Ont., Canada, August 14, 2024 — AntoXa Corporation, a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical agents, and Belgium-based SwiftPharma have been invited to present to the NATO Biological Defense Medical Expert Panel (BIO DEF MED) on Sept. 19 in Tournai, Belgium.

The BIO DEF MED meetings, which take place Sept. 16-20, focus on countermeasures for natural and manmade biological agents, including ricin, a naturally occurring protein from the castor-bean plant that is extremely toxic to humans when inhaled or injected.

AntoXa and SwiftPharma will provide the panel with an update on their development and commercialization of a plant-made antibody against ricin exposure.

“The technical presentation is an excellent opportunity to provide the panel with detailed information about the patented process for manufacturing the PhD9 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment for ricin exposure,” said Jeroen Hofenk, Founder and CSO of SwiftPharma.

The process for manufacturing PhD9, which uses the plant-based vivoXPRESS® platform, was developed by AntoXa under license from Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC). The process is patented in Canada and the United States.  AntoXa has an exclusive license from DRDC to develop and produce PhD9 for global markets.

The company has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with SwiftPharma to accelerate advancement of the drug in European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA) markets.  Swift will use their recently completed state-of-the-art GMP manufacturing facility in Belgium to produce PhD9 for clinical trials and commercial sale.

“Our plant-based manufacturing platform addresses the need for cost-effective production of antibody drugs for a variety of applications, including antidotes for ricin and other potential bioterrorism threats,” said Dr. Don Stewart, CEO of AntoXa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PlantForm Corporation.

Ricin is listed as a Category B threat agent by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to its ease of production, worldwide availability, relative stability and extreme lethality. It acts very quickly and leaves a short window for administering therapeutic antibodies.

There is currently no approved antidote for ricin poisoning. The PhD9 antibody drug candidate prevents ricin from penetrating cells. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies conducted by DRDC and other independent agencies found the plant-made version of the antibody showed therapeutic efficacy against ricin intoxication.

About AntoXa Corporation (antoxacorp.com)

AntoXa Corporation is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing medical countermeasures to protect military and civilian personnel from biological and chemical agents, as well as outbreaks of naturally occurring infectious diseases.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of PlantForm Corporation, AntoXa holds an exclusive license to PlantForm’s proprietary vivoXPRESS^® biopharmaceutical manufacturing platform to produce countermeasures for ricin, sarin and soman, as well as other defence-related therapeutics.

The groundbreaking plant-based vivoXPRESS^® technology platform produces high-value biopharmaceuticals in less than six weeks at a significantly lower cost of goods compared to industry standard fermentation systems.

About SwiftPharma (swiftpharma.eu)

SwiftPharma is a pioneering biotechnology company focused on providing Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services. Leveraging deep insights into market trends and customer demands, SwiftPharma excels in the creation and commercial production of innovative, animal-free proteins that are poised to make a lasting impact on global health.

At the core of SwiftPharma’s capabilities is the proprietary HyperXpress® bioplatform, which harnesses the power of plants as mini-bioreactors to deliver high-quality proteins with unprecedented speed, scalability, and precision. This advanced technology, combined with a comprehensive molecular toolbox and flexible manufacturing infrastructure, enables SwiftPharma to streamline the production of a diverse range of proteins, significantly reducing complexity and accelerating time-to-market for its clients.

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For more information, please contact:

Don Stewart

CEO, AntoXa Corp.
[email protected]
+1 416-452-7242

Jeroen Hofenk
Founder and CSO, SwiftPharma
[email protected]
+32 485 92 46 41

Stacey Curry Gunn
Director of Communications, AntoXa Corp.
[email protected]

GUELPH, Ont., Canada, January 30, 2024 — The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has allowed a patent application for a plant-based manufacturing process to produce an antibody for treatment of ricin exposure, developed by AntoXa Corporation under license from Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC).

Canadian Patent Application No. 3,045,161, “Production of Ricin Antibodies in Plant,” is the latest outcome of research and development by AntoXa and DRDC, an agency of Canada’s Department of National Defence, to develop the PhD9 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in plants. 

The process was granted a U.S. patent in early 2023. AntoXa, which has an exclusive license from DRDC to develop and produce PhD9 for global markets, last fall also announced a strategic collaboration agreement with Belgium-based SwiftPharma to attract investment and accelerate advancement of the drug in European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA) markets.

“This latest patent success provides further validation that our plant-based vivoXPRESS® platform uniquely addresses the need for cost-effective production of antibody drugs for a variety of applications, including antidotes for ricin and other potential bioterrorism threats,” said Dr. Don Stewart, CEO of AntoXa. “We are currently raising the necessary capital required to complete R&D and clinical activities in anticipation of commercializing the mAb treatment for ricin exposure in the next two to three years.” 

Patents related to the PhD9 antibody manufacturing process are issued to the Queen and King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence. The antibody was developed, in part, through a collaborative effort by the Medical Countermeasure Consortium (MCMC) under the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Memorandum of Understanding (CBR MOU), which includes Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ricin, a naturally occurring protein from the castor-bean plant, Ricinus communis, is extremely toxic to humans when inhaled or injected. There is currently no approved antidote against ricin poisoning. It is listed as a Category B threat agent by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to its ease of production, worldwide availability, relative stability and extreme lethality. It acts very quickly and leaves a short window for administering therapeutic antibodies.

The PhD9 antibody drug candidate prevents ricin from penetrating cells. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies conducted by DRDC found the plant-made version of the antibody showed therapeutic efficacy against ricin intoxication.

In addition to securing financing, next steps for commercialization of PhD9 include transitioning to large-scale GMP manufacturing, product characterization, animal safety and efficacy studies, and a Phase 1 clinical trial. Medical countermeasures do not require Phase 2 or Phase 3 human efficacy trials, and the path to regulatory approval is shorter than for other pharmaceuticals.

For further information, please contact:

Don Stewart

CEO, AntoXa Corp.
[email protected]
+1 416-452-7242

Stacey Curry Gunn
Director of Communications
[email protected]

About AntoXa Corporation

AntoXa Corporation is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company committed to producing high-value biopharmaceuticals to meet demand for safe, effective medical countermeasures against weaponized chemical and biological agents as well as naturally occurring outbreaks of infectious disease. Our goal is to save lives by protecting military personnel and civilians from emerging global threats to national security and public health. A wholly-owned subsidiary of PlantForm Corporation, AntoXa holds an exclusive licence to the vivoXPRESS^® biopharmaceutical manufacturing platform to produce countermeasures for ricin, sarin, soman and chlorine exposure, as well as other biodefense therapeutics. The vivoXPRESS^® plant-based system makes it easier, faster and less expensive to produce high-quality biologic drugs for novel indications and new markets. Learn more at www.antoxacorp.com.

GHENT, Belgium and TORONTO, Canada, September 5, 2023 – AntoXa Corporation, a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical agents that might be used in terrorist attacks, and SwiftPharma, a leading innovator in the research & development of recombinant proteins derived from a proprietary plant-based production system, today announced an exclusive collaboration agreement to support the development and commercialization of a plant-made monoclonal antibody (mAb) against ricin exposure.

Ricin, a naturally occurring protein from the castor-bean plant, Ricinus communis, is extremely toxic to humans when inhaled or injected. It is listed as a Category B bioterrorism agent and a Schedule number 1 chemical warfare agent by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to its ease of production, worldwide availability, relative stability and extreme lethality. There is currently no approved antidote against ricin poisoning. It acts very quickly and leaves a short window for administering therapeutic antibodies. AntoXa Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PlantForm Corporation, has a license for the development of the mAb, termed PhD9, in plant-based production systems from Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC), an Agency of the Canadian Department of National Defence. AntoXa Corporation will partner with SwiftPharma to secure the required US$15 million financing to complete the mAb’s development. The strategic collaboration aims to pool their resources and expertise to accelerate the advancement of this critical medical innovation.

The PhD9 antibody drug candidate prevents ricin from penetrating cells. DRDC conducted in vitro and in vivo studies that found the plant-made version of the antibody showed therapeutic efficacy against ricin intoxication. “We anticipate market entry for the PhD9 anti-ricin antibody within two to three years, a timeline that is dependent on raising the necessary funds for scale up and other activities necessary to obtain regulatory approvals,” said Ashley Meyers, President and Chief Operating Officer at AntoXa Corporation.

Next steps for the commercialization of PhD9 are transitioning to large-scale GMP manufacturing, product characterization, animal safety and efficacy studies, and a Phase 1 human clinical trial. Medical countermeasures do not require Phase 2 or Phase 3 human efficacy trials, therefore the path to regulatory approval is shorter than for other pharmaceuticals.

“This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to develop advanced therapeutics for critical health challenges. The partnership with SwiftPharma will not only provide the necessary financial support to expedite the development of the mAb but also enables us to efficiently bring this potentially life-saving solution to a global level,” said Dr. Don Stewart, the CEO of AntoXa Corporation.

Upon successful procurement of the financing, AntoXa Corporation will transfer the mAb manufacturing knowhow to SwiftPharma. This transfer will be accompanied by exclusive rights granted to SwiftPharma BV to manufacture, obtain regulatory approvals, promote, market, distribute, and sell the mAb within Europe, the Middle East and Africa ( EMEA) through an Exclusive Manufacturing and Distribution Agreement.

“We live in a world where the threat of biological attacks looms ever-present. The collaboration between AntoXa Corporation and SwiftPharma to further develop this vital antidote is a significant step towards bolstering our preparedness against such threats in the EMEA region and on a global level. This development holds the potential to not only save lives but also ensure our ability to respond effectively to unforeseen challenges. By joining forces, we are reinforcing our commitment to safeguarding public health and security,” Jeroen Hofenk, SwiftPharma’s founder and Chief Science Officer said.

For further information, please contact:

SwiftPharma Media Contact

AntoXa Media Contact

Stacey Curry Gunn
Director of Communications
[email protected]

About SwiftPharma

SwiftPharma is a Belgium-based privately held biotechnology company dedicated to developing next generation, animal-free, and affordable recombinant proteins by transforming plants into mini bioreactors. The company is on a mission to bring a paradigm shift to multiple industries by serving as a bridge  between high unmet industry needs and the significant advances being made in sustainable biomanufacturing. For more information, visit www.swiftpharma.eu.

About AntoXa Corporation

AntoXa Corporation is a Canadian biopharmaceutical company committed to producing high-value biopharmaceuticals to meet demand for safe, effective medical countermeasures against weaponized chemical and biological agents as well as naturally occurring outbreaks of infectious disease. Our goal is to save lives by protecting military personnel and civilians from emerging global threats to national security and public health. A wholly-owned subsidiary of PlantForm Corporation, AntoXa holds an exclusive licence to the vivoXPRESS^® biopharmaceutical manufacturing platform to produce countermeasures for ricin, sarin, soman and chlorine exposure, as well as other biodefense therapeutics. The vivoXPRESS^® plant-based system makes it easier, faster and less expensive to produce high-quality biologic drugs for novel indications and new markets. Learn more at www.antoxacorp.com.

GUELPH, Ont., CANADA, Feb. 27, 2023 — The U.S. Patent Office has granted a patent for a plant-based manufacturing process to produce an antibody for treatment of ricin exposure, an outcome of research and development by AntoXa Corporation under contract with Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC), an Agency of the Canadian Department of National Defence.

AntoXa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian biopharmaceutical company PlantForm Corporation, has an exclusive license from DRDC to develop and produce the PhD9 monoclonal antibody treatment in plants for sale in markets worldwide. The process has received United States Patent No. 11,447,789, issued to His Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence.

“Our plant-based, made-in-Canada manufacturing platform uniquely addresses the critical need for cost-effective, large-scale production of antidotes for ricin and other potential bioterrorism threats,” said Dr. Don Stewart, PlantForm President and CEO. “Safety and efficacy studies showed therapeutic efficacy against ricin intoxication and validate the capability of our proprietary vivoXPRESS® manufacturing platform to produce a best-in-class antibody treatment for ricin exposure.”

Ricin, a naturally occurring protein from the castor-bean plant, Ricinus communis, is extremely toxic to humans when inhaled or injected. It is listed as a Category B threat agent by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to its ease of production, worldwide availability, relative stability and extreme lethality. There is currently no approved antidote against ricin poisoning. It acts very quickly and leaves a short window for administering therapeutic antibodies.

The PhD9 antibody drug candidate prevents ricin from penetrating cells. The PhD9 anti-ricin antibody was developed, in part, through a collaborative effort by the Medical Countermeasure Consortium (MCMC) under the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Memorandum of Understanding (CBR MOU), which includes Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Next steps for the commercialization of PhD9 are to manufacture a GMP lot for further pre-clinical studies and a Phase 1 human clinical trial, which is dependent on raising the necessary funds for scale up and other activities necessary to obtain regulatory approvals, Stewart said. Medical countermeasures do not require Phase 2 and Phase 3 human efficacy trials for ethical reasons, therefore the path to regulatory approval is shorter than for other pharmaceuticals.

About AntoXa Corporation (www.antoxacorp.com)

AntoXa Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PlantForm Corporation, is developing medical countermeasures to protect military and civilian personnel from biological and chemical agents, as well as outbreaks of naturally occurring infectious diseases. The company’s pipeline includes countermeasures for ricin, sarin, soman and Ebola Sudan, as well as other defence-related therapeutics.

About PlantForm Corporation (www.plantformcorp.com)
PlantForm Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the ultra-low-cost production of specialty antibody and protein drugs and vaccines using the proprietary vivoXPRESS^® plant-based manufacturing platform. The vivoXPRESS plant expression system reduces biologic drug production costs by as much as 90% compared to standard mammalian cell systems. The platform is fast (drug production in as little as six weeks), versatile and easily scalable. PlantForm’s pipeline features an innovative antidote to ricin exposure, and biosimilar versions of the brand name biologic drugs Keytruda^® and Lucentis^®. Learn more.

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For more information, please contact:

Don Stewart, CEO [email protected] +1 416-452-7242

Stacey Curry Gunn, Director of Communications [email protected] +1 519-827-1131