BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH
Sumitovant Biopharma, Inc. | January 20, 2023
On January 19, 2023, Neochromosome, Inc., announced a partnership with Sumitovant Biopharma, Inc., a technology-driven biopharmaceutical firm expediting the discovery and commercialization of novel therapeutics.
This collaboration blends Neochromosome's neoYeast™ platform with Sumitovant's DrugOME™ computational ecosystem to identify new proteins that would benefit from non-canonical amino acid chemistries that are unavailable in nature.
As part of the collaboration, Sumitovant used a combination of natural language processing (NLP), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and computational algorithms to identify opportunities for Neochromosome to enhance the discovery and production of proteins limited by evolution and traditional fabrication processes. For example, non-canonical amino acid inclusion allows new-to-nature proteins with improved structures and functions but often requires chemical synthesis, which is expensive, size- and complexity-restricted, and environmentally damaging.
neoYeast™, based on Neochromosome's world-leading genome-scale cell engineering technology stack, enables the highly efficient and environmentally friendly integration of non-canonical amino acids into proteins, with both discovery and manufacturing possible in a single genome-engineered yeast strain. Sumitovant used DrugOME to explore libraries of traditional and non-traditional sources of data to recommend targeted protein development candidates for neoYeast.
Co-Founder and CEO of Neochromosome, Leslie Mitchell, commented, "The combination of Sumitovant's technology platform and life-sciences expertise with Neochromosome's ability to both discover and biomanufacture novel proteins in a single system enables Neochromosome to accelerate and streamline the delivery of better therapies for patients." She added, "We are excited to partner with the world-class team at Sumitovant to identify opportunities to create better versions of existing drugs, along with new-to-nature compounds, and to manufacture them efficiently at scale."
(Source – Business Wire)
Sumitovant Biopharma, Inc.
The firm has supported the development of multiple FDA-approved products and a strong pipeline of early-through late-stage investigational assets addressing unmet needs in pediatrics, oncology, urology, women's health, specialty respiratory, and infectious diseases through its proprietary computing and data platforms, scientific expertise, and diverse company portfolio. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Pharma.
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PHARMACY MARKET, PHARMA TECH
Sanofi and Innate Pharma | December 19, 2022
Innate Pharma SA and Sanofi announced an expansion of their collaboration, with Sanofi licensing a natural killer cell engager program targeting B7H3 from Innate’s ANKETTM. Sanofi will also have the option to add up to two additional ANKETTM targets. Upon candidate selection, Sanofi will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization.
Innate and Sanofi signed a first NK cell engagers collaboration in 2016 for the generation and evaluation of up to two bispecific NK cell engagers, which are currently being evaluated by Sanofi’s R&D team, with one of these molecules already in clinical studies.
“At Sanofi, we are exploring the potential of NK cells for cancer immunotherapy, a key pillar for our oncology strategy. Our relationship with Innate aligns with our commitment to work with promising French companies and supports our ambition to develop a diverse portfolio of next-generation NK cell engagers, highly synergistic with Sanofi’s allogeneic NK cell platform, engineered lymphokines that stimulate NK cells, and growing Immuno-oncology pipeline. As a leading global company with roots in France, we are proud to collaborate to support the French healthcare ecosystem.”
Valeria Fantin, Ph.D., Global Head of Oncology Research at Sanofi
Yannis Morel, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Product portfolio strategy & Business development at Innate Pharma
“Building on the success of our existing collaboration on hematologic targets, we are pleased to expand and strengthen our partnership with Sanofi on NK Cell Engagers with the addition of up to three new programs, including in solid tumors. Sanofi’s investment in Innate further validates the value of our ANKETTM platform and its potential to address multiple tumor types. By incorporating various tumor antigen binders, NK Cell Engagers are a versatile technology that may provide new options for patients and offer clinical benefit across multiple cancers, whilst also maintaining a good safety profile. This agreement also highlights Innate’s strategy to build a broad portfolio of ANKET programs addressing different types of cancer.”
Under the terms of the new license agreement, Innate will receive €25m upfront payment and up to €1.35bn total in preclinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones plus royalties on potential net sales. Closing of the transaction is subject to HSR approval.
About ANKETTM
ANKETTM is Innate's proprietary platform for developing next-generation, multi-specific natural killer cell engagers to treat certain types of cancer.
This versatile, fit-for-purpose technology is creating an entirely new class of molecules to induce synthetic immunity against cancer. It leverages the advantages of harnessing NK cell effector functions against cancer cells and also provides proliferation and activation signals targeted to NK cells.
Our latest innovation, the tetra-specific ANKET molecule, is the first NK cell engager technology to engage activating receptors a tumor antigen and an interleukin-2 receptor via a single molecule.
About 2016 Sanofi/Innate research collaboration and licensing agreement
In 2016, Sanofi and Innate entered into a research collaboration and licensing agreement for the generation and evaluation of up to two bispecific NK cell engagers, using technology from Innate Pharma and Sanofi’s proprietary bispecific antibody format as well as tumor targets.
A Phase 1/2 clinical trial by Sanofi is ongoing, evaluating IPH6101/SAR’579 the first NKp46/CD16-based CD123-targeted ANKETTM NK cell engager, in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.
In the summer 2022, Sanofi had made the decision to progress IPH6401/SAR’514 into investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies. IPH6401/SAR’514 is a BCMA-targeting NK cell engager using Sanofi’s proprietary CROSSODILE® multi-functional platform, which comprises the Cross-Over-Dual-Variable-Domain (CODV) format. It induces a dual targeting of the NK activating receptors, NKp46 and CD16, for an optimized NK cell activation, based on Innate’s ANKETTM proprietary platform.
Under the terms of the original license agreement, Sanofi is responsible for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of products resulting from the research collaboration. Innate Pharma will be eligible to up to €400m in development and commercial milestone payments as well as royalties on net sales. To date, €13m milestone payments to Innate have been announced.
About Sanofi’s approach to NK therapies in oncology
At Sanofi, we are exploring the intrinsic abilities of Natural Killer cells to create new immunotherapies for patients with cancer. Natural Killer cell-based therapies are a key pillar within Sanofi’s Oncology strategy. By activating the innate power of NK cells, Sanofi is advancing a diverse and complementary range of NK-based therapeutics to transform immune biology. The breadth of our modalities and unique strength to innovate end-to-end maximizes the therapeutic possibilities for more people with cancer.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
About Innate Pharma
Innate Pharma S.A. is a global, clinical-stage oncology-focused biotech company dedicated to improving treatment and clinical outcomes for patients through therapeutic antibodies that harness the immune system to fight cancer.
Innate Pharma’s broad pipeline of antibodies includes several potentially first-in-class clinical and preclinical candidates in cancers with high unmet medical need.
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RESEARCH, PHARMA TECH
Alliance Pharma | December 08, 2022
Alliance Pharma a global leader providing bioanalytical, DMPK, and CMC testing services in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, has opened its new 20,000-square-foot bioanalytical laboratory, Alliance Pharma Pty, Ltd., in Brisbane, Australia.
The new Australia facility, which the company announced plans for earlier this summer, includes an expansive lab to provide much-needed small and large molecule bioanalytical services for a region with limited choices for bioanalytical support.
“Alliance Pharma’s expanded presence in Australia affirms our commitment to combining scientific talent and technology to deliver global drug development solutions. In this new purpose-built laboratory, our talented teams will use their diverse experience and expertise to provide high-quality bioanalytical services.”
Alliance CEO, Patrick Bennett
“Our new state-of-the-art science facility in Brisbane will further strengthen our global bioanalytical capabilities. It will allow biotech companies to work with us in Australia in the early phase and then transfer the knowledge on these assays to other regions to support the later development phases. Our objective is to accelerate the growth of our best-in-class portfolio and deliver industry-leading drug development service for our worldwide clients,” said Alliance Pharma Site President, Australia, Jason Wang, Ph.D.
About Alliance Pharma
Founded in 2008, Alliance is a contract research organization with bioanalytical, DMPK, and CMC testing labs in Malvern, PA, Brisbane, AU, Cambridge, U.K., and Sandwich, U.K. The labs specialize in advanced research services for all drug molecules, cell and gene therapies, and drug metabolism studies to support pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies’ drug discovery and development programs. Alliance’s mission is to build a trusted partnership with our clients to support their successful drug development programs. Our business philosophy is based on a foundation of trust, professional ethics, scientific excellence, and regulatory compliance.
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