The collaboration will focus on the development of Darpins (designed ankyrin repeat proteins), a novel class of therapeutic proteins to treat inflammatory diseases
Molecular Partners has announced a collaborative research and license agreement with Centocor Research and Development.
Molecular Partners will apply its proprietary Darpin technology for the identification of Darpins to two undisclosed targets.
Centocor will perform the preclinical and clinical development as well as commercialization of resulting products.
Molecular Partners will receive an upfront payment of US$5 million, additional research funding and license fees.
Further, Molecular Partners will receive FTE payments for research done under the agreement.
Centocor will have exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise products discovered during the research term in exchange for future milestones.
In addition, Molecular Partners is entitled to receive royalty payments on net sales of any product from this collaboration.
The milestone and royalty payments compare to those of recent agreements in the field.
Further details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
"This collaboration with Centocor is an important step to position our Darpin technology as a potential source of innovative drugs", commented Christian Zahnd, CEO of Molecular Partners.
"It also shows the continued execution of our corporate strategy which comprises building a broad portfolio of Darpin-based drugs, from external partnerships as well as from our own internal pipeline".
"Centocor is a leader in the field of antibody therapeutics and has impressive biopharmaceutical capabilities," added Patrick Amstutz, CBO of Molecular Partners.
"Partners like Centocor will help us maximise the therapeutic potential of Darpins.
"We are delighted that Centocor has chosen Darpins as an addition to its biopharmaceutical pipeline".
"The dimension of this deal opens new possibilities for Molecular Partners and positions our company as highly attractive partner for the development of protein therapeutics."
