Evotec licenses inflammatory disease compounds to Chinese pharma
June 2012
SHARING OPTIONS:
HAMBURG, Germany—Last month, Evotec AG announced the grant
of a development and marketing license to Conba Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. of
China for EVT 401, a selective, small-molecule P2X7 antagonist for human
indications with exception of ophthalmological, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and endometriosis.
Under the licensing agreement, Conba will have exclusive rights
to develop and commercialize the compound for the Chinese market. Evotec will
have the right to reference clinical data produced by Conba to support
potential further development of EVT 401 in other territories.
Evotec will receive a small upfront payment, development and
commercial milestone payments in excess of $76 million, as well as tiered,
double-digit royalties on net sales.
According to the companies, the P2X7 receptor antagonism may
provide a novel approach for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Evotec
has completed the first Phase I, single-dose study of EVT 401 in 2010. Conba
Pharmaceutical will initiate further clinical trials with EVT 401 in China in
inflammatory diseases.
“We are very pleased to partner with Conba, a leading Chinese
pharmaceutical company, to tap into the Chinese market for inflammatory
diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis,” says Dr. Werner Lanthaler, CEO of
Evotec in a statement announcing the deal. “This partnership will also increase
the value of the P2X7 program worldwide, and follows our strategy to align with
the best and most dedicated partners in the industry.”
“We are delighted about the collaboration with Evotec, a
global leader in drug discovery and development,” added Yu Bin, general manager
of Conba. “This collaboration expands our ongoing strategy to become an
innovator in China for pharmaceutical R&D. We are confident about the
potential of this compound to become a novel treatment for inflammatory
diseases.”
Conba is a top pharmaceutical company in China and has more
than 20 subsidiary companies.
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