On March 18, 2020 AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AXIM) ("AXIM Biotech," "AXIM" or "the Company"), an international healthcare solutions company targeting oncological and cannabinoid research, reported that the Company has completed the acquisition of leading oncology research and development company Sapphire Biotech, Inc. ("Sapphire") (Press release, Sapphire BioTech, MAR 18, 2020, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=axim-biotechnologies-acquiree-sapphire-biotech-inc-signs-sponsored-research-agreement-with-arizona-state-university-to-develop-metastatic-cancer-inhibitor [SID1234558650]).
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In January of this year, AXIM announced that the Company signed a binding term sheet to acquire Sapphire. As part of the acquisition, AXIM has acquired 100 percent of the capital stock of Sapphire and will operate Sapphire as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Sapphire will continue to be led by Catalina Valencia, as Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Valencia has stewarded Sapphire in the development of its unique patent-pending pipeline.
"With this acquisition of Sapphire Biotech, AXIM enters into a new phase as we shift our focus to both oncology and cannabinoid research," said John W. Huemoeller II, Chief Executive Officer of AXIM Biotech. "We chose to acquire Sapphire because of the team it brings and because the company has already made large discoveries in the field of oncology, which hold the potential to help so many lives when coupled with its impressive IP portfolio."
Sapphire has licensed a leading compound, called SBI-183, which inhibits and suppresses invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. The company recently announced that it now holds exclusive license rights to SBI-183 and intends to study the compound’s ability to treat cancer. In February, Sapphire signed a Sponsored Research Agreement with a leading cancer research organization to conduct preclinical studies to develop a metastatic cancer inhibitor using the licensed SBI-183 compound.
In addition to its upcoming research on cancer-treating compounds, Sapphire is also developing a novel line of diagnostics for early cancer detection, response to treatment and recurrence monitoring. One of Sapphire’s diagnostic tools is currently being evaluated in a clinical trial for its potential to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
AXIM chose to acquire Sapphire because of its focus on cancer therapeutics for inhibiting cancer growth and metastasis, its diagnostics line, and a world-renowned research team. Through this acquisition, AXIM not only gains Sapphire’s already existing patent-pending portfolio of technologies but also now has the ability to develop new in-house proprietary molecules and potential treatments for numerous diseases.
"Sapphire’s researchers are excited to work alongside AXIM to continue developing novel diagnostic tools for early detection and potential treatments for halting cancer metastasis," said Catalina Valencia, Chief Executive Officer of Sapphire Biotech. "By combining our expert research teams, we intend to extend the scope of our research even further."