Medigene is a German biotechnology company founded in 1994 as a spin-off from the Munich Gene Center. In 2000, the company went public with an initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.[1] In the following years, Medigene acquired several other biotechnology companies, including NeuroVir and Avidex, and received regulatory approval for its cancer drug Eligard in Germany.[1] In 2006, Medigene's product Veregen became the first FDA-approved biopharmaceutical from a German biotech company in the United States.[1]
In 2012-2014, Medigene underwent strategic repositioning through the sale of Eligard, EndoTAG, and RhuDex.[2] The company then shifted its focus to immuno-oncology with the acquisition of Trianta Immunotherapies, which was renamed Medigene Immunotherapies. In 2015, Medigene started a Phase I/II clinical trial with its DC vaccine (FDC101) to treat acute myeloid leukemia. [2]The following year, the company entered into a strategic partnership with bluebird bio in cancer immunotherapy.[1]
In 2017, Medigene disposed of the US rights for Veregen and expanded its partnership with bluebird bio in 2018. The company also started a Phase I/II study of its drug MDG1011 in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.[1][2] In 2019, Medigene partnered with Roivant and Sinovant to launch Cytovant Sciences, which focuses on developing cellular therapies in Asia. The same year, Medigene sold its remaining rights and inventories for Veregen.[1]
In 2020, the company published topline data from its DC vaccine trial, and in 2021, it published topline data from the Phase I/II study of MDG1011.[1][2] In 2022, Medigene entered into a comprehensive research and development partnership with BioNTech.[1]
