RCP Therapeutics, a biopharmaceuticals company specialising in the converging nanotechnology and regenerative medical markets, today announced that it has appointed healthcare PR specialist De Facto Communications as its corporate and financial communications advisors. The brief includes launch promotion, establishing the brand, raising the Company’s corporate profile and building awareness of the strengths of RCP Therapeutics’ technology, pipeline and commercialisation prospects amongst the investor community, industry opinion formers and potential partners in the pharmaceuticals industry. The campaign commenced on 1 November 2008.
De Facto Communications has already secured prominent coverage and interviews with a number of leading print and on-line industry publications, newswires and national newspapers including Pharmaceutical Technology Europe, InPharmaTechnologist, Cosmetics-Design, BioWorld, Dow Jones, Chemical & Engineering News and the Financial Times.
A central communications objective is to focus the attention of target audiences on the Company’s pioneering technology designed to treat injuries resulting from stroke ischemia and reperfusion injury, with clinical trials expected to begin in 2009. Furthermore, RCP Therapeutics has identified and performed early stage trials using a p53 nano particle to treat the effects of restenosis following angioplasty. The Company aggregates intellectual property, performs early stage proof of concept in pre-clinical and clinical trials and seeks to penetrate markets, and drive revenues through collaborative partnerships with pharmaceutical companies in later stage clinical studies. To date, the Company has identified a series of product candidates and has pilot launched first product candidate, Bimene, a novel cosmeceutical topical product, utilising its nano particle delivery platform acquired via licenses from universities and US based research institutions.
RCP Therapeutics announced on 11 November 2008 that it had signed a letter of intent for FirstPoint Biotech, specialists in the investment and development of proprietary technology, to acquire a majority equity interest in the Company. The initial funds of over $10M are set for investment in the research and development of RCP Therapeutics’ current pipeline over a two year lifecycle. A new company, FirstPoint RCP Therapeutics Inc, will be formed through the transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, First Point Biotech will carry out sixty days of due diligence prior to final closing documents being completed.
FirstPoint RCP Therapeutics plans to spin out its cosmeceutical technologies into a separate company, taking initial ownership of all shares. This company will target the over the counter cosmeceutical industry, spas, estheticians and the dermatological and plastic surgery markets.
Commenting on the appointment of De Facto, Bob Sexauer, CEO of RCP Therapeutics remarked: “With their in-depth experience and communications expertise in the life science and pharmaceuticals sectors, De Facto was a natural choice to help us build our profile and highlight the strength of our technology and pipeline, and our attractiveness as a solid investment and commercial partnering prospect.”
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For further information, please contact:
Tristan Jervis, Account Director, De Facto Communications
tel: +44 (0)20 7861 3838 email: t.jervis@defacto.com
Note to editors
De Facto Communications is part of the Bell Pottinger Group and one of Europe's most successful public relations consultancies in life science and healthcare. In partnership with our clients, we approach our work with a passion and commitment that delivers award-winning, integrated communications programmes based on effective strategy, original thinking and creativity. De Facto is headquartered in London and operates internationally with clients across Europe and the US. Further information on De Facto Communications can be found at www.defacto.com
