Inflazyme, Aventis expand collaboration
To develop anti-inflammatory therapeutics
Yesterday, Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Vancouver, BC, Canada) announced that it is expanding its ongoing collaboration with Aventis Pharma Inc. (Frankfurt, Germany) for the research and development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics from Inflazyme's IPL576 series of novel small molecule compounds.
Inflazyme announced in December 2000 that it had received regulatory approval for IPL576,092, the lead molecule from its IPL576 series, to commence Phase II asthma clinical trials in the United Kingdom. The new agreement covers two additional molecules: IPL550,260 and IPL512,602, which are based on research related to the company's IPL576 series.
Inflazyme and Aventis will contribute jointly to the development of both compounds. Aventis will undertake cGMP manufacturing, formulation, and certain pre-clinical studies. Inflazyme will be responsible for toxicology and certain other pre-clinical studies. In return for their contribution, Aventis has the right to choose one of the two compounds for inclusion into the May 1999 License and Research Collaboration Agreement between Inflazyme and Aventis. Inflazyme will retain all rights to the other compound.
The May 1999 License and Research Collaboration Agreement covers the co-development of Inflazyme's IPL576 series for the treatment of asthma and respiratory diseases and the development of Aventis' H1/NK1 dual antagonist for allergies. Inflazyme has to date received US$16 million in cash and equity investments and may receive up to an additional US$75 million in milestone payments. Inflazyme will receive double digit royalties on future sales of products developed under the agreement. Aventis has a right of first refusal to license additional products from Inflazyme's IPL576 series, for other indications, on new commercial terms to be agreed.
About the IPL576 series
The IPL576 series are novel synthetic chemical compounds based on a molecule originally isolated from a sea sponge by researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta. Pre-clinical research has demonstrated that molecules from the IPL576 series have a significant effect on mediators of inflammation in vitro and in standard pre-clinical in vivo studies. These pre-clinical studies also demonstrate that compounds from the IPL576 series may have the efficacy of inhaled glucocorticoids without the related side effects.
IPL576,092 is currently undergoing human clinical trials for the treatment of asthma. In December 2000, Inflazyme announced that the Company had received approval to initiate Phase II clinical trials with IPL576,092 as a potential oral therapy for asthma. The Company plans to initiate these studies in early 2001 and expects to receive results before the end of the year.
About the companies
Inflazyme is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies to treat serious inflammatory diseases, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Aventis Pharma, the pharmaceutical company of Aventis, is dedicated to treating and preventing human disease through the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of innovative pharmaceutical products aimed at satisfying unmet medical needs. Aventis Pharma focuses on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, infectious diseases, arthritis, allergies and respiratory disorders, diabetes, and central nervous system disorders.
For more information, contact Jeffrey A. Bacha, vice president of corporate development for Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd. at 800-315-3660.
Source: Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
With contributions from Jim Pomager
Assistant Editor, Drug Discovery Online