Bioxel + Lafayette = Yews + Taxane

Did you know that the Canadian yew plant is recognized as the world's largest natural reservoir for taxanes? It so happens that Bioxel Pharma (TSX: BIP) has harvesting rights on public and private lands covering an area of over 250,000 square kilometers with a high density of Canada yew. What does the Canadian yew have to do with CO? Well Quebec-based Bioxel Pharma has CO operations based in Lafayette and represents another in our series of public biopharma companies with an impact on our local life science ecosystem. Be certain to take a look at the growing list under ‘search by topic’.

Bioxel manufactures and markets taxane active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and develops innovative new taxane-based chemotherapeutic drugs. Taxanes include paclitaxel and docetaxel, two APIs widely used in cancer treatment. Bioxel has manufactured and distributed natural paclitaxel for international pharmaceutical companies since 2004. Bioxel's paclitaxel is used in second-generation drugs now in advanced stages of clinical development and in generic drug products currently marketed in North America and Europe. Bioxel's customer base consists of generic and ethical pharmaceutical companies that develop and market taxane finished drug products. These drugs are widely used in oncology for the treatments of certain cancer types, including breast, lung, ovarian, stomach, prostate and head and neck cancers. Paclitaxel-coated stents are also used in cardiology to prevent post-operative restenosis following angioplasty procedures.

In 2005, Bioxel filed patents for the semi-synthesis of paclitaxel and docetaxel from the taxane starting materials 9-DHB and 10-DAB. The Corporation has built a large inventory of 9-DHB from which it intends to produce its new semi-synthetic taxanes. The Corporation currently markets three products – natural paclitaxel, 9-DHB and 10-DAB – and is developing a portfolio of new products that include docetaxel, paclitaxel via a semi-synthetic route of production and innovative taxane-based drugs.