Global pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila and Pieris, a therapeutic protein research and development company, have entered into an alliance for development and commercialization of multiple novel Anticalin-based protein therapeutics.
The collaboration combines Pieris' drug discovery and early development capabilities with Zydus' expertise in biologics development, regulatory affairs and biologics manufacturing.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zydus will take the lead in advancing Anticalin drug candidates through formal pre-clinical development and into clinical development, undertaking drug development in accordance with ICH guidelines.
Zydus has been granted exclusive marketing rights in India and several other emerging markets, while Pieris retains exclusive marketing rights in key developed markets.
Zydus group chairman and managing director Pankaj R Patel noted collaborating with established biotech companies on differentiated drug candidates is an important component of Zydus' ongoing transformation into an innovation-led global healthcare provider, and the company is pleased to add Anticalins to its novel biologics pipeline.
"With Zydus' state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and seasoned drug development team, this collaboration will allow Pieris to unlock value on a global scale in a cost-effective manner, significantly expanding the number of proprietary Anticalin programs we can advance into clinical trials," Patel added.
The most advanced program in the collaboration is PRS-110, an Anticalin specific for c-Met, a target becoming increasingly validated across a broad spectrum of tumors.
PRS-110, which is a pure antagonist due to its monovalent target engagement, has demonstrated the ability to inhibit both ligand-dependent and -independent c-Met activity in a variety of animal models.
Through this collaborative model, the companies seek to develop candidates to proof-of-concept and will explore out-licensing opportunities in Pieris' territories at the appropriate time. The companies will share licensing revenues on mutually agreed-upon terms.
