BioStratum and Novo Nordisk sign development and marketing agreement
US drug discovery and development company BioStratum has signed a global research, development and marketing agreement with Novo Nordisk for the joint development of monoclonal antibodies targeted against laminin-5 for the treatment of cancer.
US drug discovery and development company BioStratum has signed a global research, development and marketing agreement with Novo Nordisk for the joint development of monoclonal antibodies targeted against laminin-5 for the treatment of cancer.
Laminin-5 is a complex, basal lamina protein that mediates the binding of specific cell types to the extracellular matrix. It is used by certain invasive tumours to promote tumour migration and metastasis through the extracellular matrix. Monoclonal antibodies developed by BioStratum have been shown to inhibit this migration, and to inhibit tumour growth in various animal models of cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk has been granted the exclusive right to develop and subsequently market monoclonal antibodies that bind to laminin-5. The companies will jointly conduct a research program to be funded by Novo Nordisk. In addition to research funding, BioStratum is entitled to receive potential milestones of approximately US$80m, as well as royalties on product sales, for each antibody developed and marketed under the agreement.
BioStratum's lead drug candidate, Pyridorin, has completed Phase II clinical trials for diabetic nephropathy and was recently granted Fast Track status by the FDA. Furthermore, BioStratum has a rich pipeline of novel drug candidates and targets in the fields of diabetes, diabetic complications and cancer.