PHARMACY MARKET, PHARMA TECH
Capsida Biotherapeutics | February 27, 2023
Capsida Biotherapeutics Inc., a fully integrated next-generation gene therapy platform company, and AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and providing innovative medicines to address serious health issues, have recently announced an expanded strategic collaboration.
The collaboration aims to develop genetic medicines for eye diseases with high unmet needs. Capsida's novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) engineering platform and manufacturing capability will be combined with AbbVie's extensive capabilities to identify and advance three programs. This expanded collaboration builds on the neurodegenerative disease partnership established in 2021.
As per the agreement's terms, Capsida will receive $70 million, comprising upfront payments and possible equity investment. Capsida could receive up to $595 million in option fees and research and development milestones for the three programs, with the potential for further commercial milestones. Additionally, Capsida will be eligible to receive mid-to-high single-digit royalty payments on future product sales.
Capsida will be responsible for leading capsid discovery efforts for all programs, utilizing its high throughput AAV engineering platform, and will also be responsible for process development and early clinical manufacturing. AbbVie, on the other hand, will lead innovative therapeutic cargo approaches and be responsible for commercialization and development.
Capsida's CEO Peter Anastasiou commented, "AbbVie has been an excellent partner, and we are excited to expand our collaboration into ophthalmology with the world leader in this therapeutic area." He added, "Combining AbbVie's expertise in eye disease drug development and commercialization with Capsida's fully integrated next-generation AAV engineering platform and manufacturing capabilities offers the potential to provide novel therapies enabling unprecedented benefit to patients with serious eye diseases."
(Source- PR Newswire)
About Capsida Biotherapeutics
Capsida Biotherapeutics Inc. is a leading gene therapy platform company that develops targeted, non-invasive gene therapies for patients suffering from severe and life-threatening genetic disorders. Its innovative approach allows for the treatment of rare and common diseases across all age groups. The company focuses on creating customized therapies that selectively target specific organ systems while minimizing exposure to non-targeted organs. Capsida is a fully integrated biotechnology company with proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) engineering, translational biology, advanced manufacturing capabilities, multi-modality cargo development and optimization, process development, as well as extensive clinical development expertise.
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PHARMA TECH
Lantheus | February 07, 2023
On February 6, 2023, Lantheus Holdings, Inc. (Lantheus), a company dedicated to improving patient outcomes through radiotherapy, diagnostics, and AI solutions that help clinicians to Find, Fight, and Follow® diseases, announced the acquisition of Cerveau Technologies, Inc. (Cerveau).
Cerveau's primary asset is MK-6240, which is a second-gen F 18-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent that targets Tau tangles present in Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes a steady and gradual deterioration in cognition and function. Alzheimer's disease affects an estimated 6.5 million people in the United States. As the population ages, the frequency of this disease is expected to climb further, and by 2050, the number of persons 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may reach 12.7 million.
MK-6240 is a clinical-stage PET development candidate that is designed to identify Tau protein that accumulates as neurofibrillary tangles in the brains of individuals suffering or suspected of Alzheimer's disease. MK-6240 has the potential to help in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, staging, treatment selection and response to therapy. Despite being in clinical development, MK-6240 is now being employed in over 60 academic and industrial clinical studies worldwide for various late-stage Alzheimer's disease therapeutic candidates, being explored by more than 16 pharmaceutical firms.
Following the terms of the agreement, Lantheus will make an upfront payment as well as potential further development and commercial milestone payments. It will also pay double-digit royalties on research revenue and commercial sales. In addition, the deal, which is structured as a stock acquisition, stipulates, among other things, that the seller would offer transition and clinical development services for a specified period after the conclusion of the transaction.
In this transaction, Chestnut Partners, Inc. served as the exclusive financial advisor to Cerveau. At the same time, Lantheus was advised by Foley Hoag LLP in connection with the acquisition.
About Lantheus
Founded in 1956, Lantheus offers novel diagnostics, targeted medicines, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to help clinicians Find, Fight, and Follow® diseases. It has been delivering life-changing research to patients and clinicians for over 60 years, going above and beyond to enhance lives and outcomes. Lantheus Holdings is the parent company of Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., Inc. and EXINI Diagnostics AB. Headquartered in North Billerica, Massachusetts, the company has offices in New Jersey, Canada and Sweden.
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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET
Horus Pharma | January 11, 2023
On January 10, 2023, Horus Pharma, an independent French ophthalmology laboratory known for its preservative-free eye and eyelid health products, announced a partnership with Plastic Bank to recycle approximately 100 tons of plastic annually.
The pact is a part of Horus Pharma's environmental program, Eco' Ophtalmo. Since its founding in 2003, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been a consistent part of Horus Pharma's culture. Over the years, the company's increasing awareness of industrial activities' environmental impact has led to numerous initiatives.
Horus Pharma has committed to continuously seeking new solutions via innovation and collaboration to minimize its ecological footprint to the greatest extent possible. Furthermore, through its strategy of cooperative actions and initiatives, it strives to encourage and support the spread of ecologically-responsible practices within its industry.
Launched in September 2022, the Eco' Ophtalmo initiative has incorporated ecology into Horus Pharma's culture and strategy planning. Eco' Ophtalmo project encompasses major and ambitious initiatives, including an environmental and social commitment to achieve Plastic Net Zero and create recyclable packaging. In addition, Horus Pharma aims to promote awareness among ophthalmologists and drive action by cooperating to increase awareness and encourage collective efforts to reduce the environmental footprint.
About Horus Pharma
Founded in 2003, Horus Pharma is a leading eye and eyelid health product developer. It operates in most ophthalmology segments to develop effective and safe practical innovations. Focused on patient safety, its laboratories are renowned for their expertise in developing preservative-free formulations and product delivery systems. The laboratory's product portfolio includes medicinal products, food supplements, and medical devices. In addition, it has been pursuing growth with its new surgery division by providing surgical and peri-surgical diagnostic solutions for eye problems.
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