Company |
University/ |
Type of agreement |
Product area |
Details |
Date |
JUNE | |||||
Adma Biologics Inc. (Ramsey, N.J.) |
Jeffrey Modell Foundation |
Collaboration |
Focused on patients with primary immunodeficiencies |
There are more than 250 genetic defects that are classified under the PI umbrella, and the NIH estimates that at least 500,000 Americans are affected; JMF programs focus on early diagnosis and meaningful treatments |
6/12/15 |
Aeolus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Mission Viejo, Calif.) |
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority |
Exercised contract option |
BARDA exercised $3M in additional contract options under its contract for AEOL 10150, which is being developed for use in pulmonary syndrome of acute radiation syndrome and delayed effects of acute radiation exposure under a $118M contract |
The contract is designed to produce the data necessary for an approval under the FDA animal rule and for a pre-emergency use authorization filing |
6/29/15 |
Allied-Bristol Life Sciences LLC (Boston) |
Harvard University |
Licensing agreement |
Based on research and intellectual property developed in Malcolm Whitman's lab at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine |
Whitman and Tracy Keller, of the Dept. of Developmental Biology, have identified the mechanism of action of halofuginone, a chemical compound based on an active ingredient in the root of the blue evergreen hydrangea (Dichroa febrifuga), which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries; the license will be held by a new ABLS subsidiary specifically formed to pursue further research and preclinical development of the technology and associated molecules |
6/23/15 |
Amarna Therapeutics BV (Leiden, the Netherlands) |
Austrian Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed) |
Development agreement |
For the development of immunotherapies, including the design, development and testing of a CAR-T cell therapy and reverse vaccines |
Amarna will contribute its SVac viral gene delivery vector platform and CBmed will perform preclinical R&D and develop immunological assays in its core laboratory |
6/30/15 |
Anika Therapeutics Inc. (Bedford, Mass.) |
Institute for Applied Life Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
Strategic collaboration |
To develop a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis |
Financial terms were not disclosed |
6/18/15 |
Arno Therapeutics Inc. (Flemington, N.J.) |
US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases |
CRADA |
To evaluate the antiviral activity of AR-12 and various analogues against Ebola and other viruses of biodefense interest |
The AR-12 mechanism of action may include induction of host cell autophagy and inhibition of fungal acetyl coenzyme A synthetase |
6/4/15 |
Atara Biotherapeutics Inc. (Brisbane, Calif.) |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
Exercised option agreement |
To license certain clinical stage, allogeneic T-cell therapies for various cancers and viral infections |
The company will gain exclusive worldwide rights to T cells activated against Epstein Barr virus (in phase II), T-cells activated against cytomegalovirus (in phase II) and T cells activated against Wilms tumor 1 (in phase I) |
6/16/15 |
Bayer Healthcare (Leverkusen, Germany; part of Bayer AG) |
Johns Hopkins University |
Five-year collaboration agreement |
For joint development of new ophthalmic therapies targeting retinal diseases, in particular back-of-the-eye diseases |
Bayer and the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins will both contribute researchers and infrastructure to evaluate new targets, disease mechanisms, drug delivery technologies and biomarkers; financial terms were not disclosed |
6/17/15 |
Biocept Inc. (San Diego) |
Sarah Cannon Research Institute |
Clinical collaboration |
To determine the clinical utility of detecting biomarkers present in circulating tumor cell and circulating tumor DNA in blood samples for estrogen positive breast cancer patients |
They will use Biocept's technology and assess tumor treatment response over time |
6/4/15 |
Caladrius Biosciences Inc. (New York) |
University of Southern California and the California Institute of Technology |
Material transfer agreement |
Related to next-generation strategies for its core cancer technology |
The research collaboration will build on Caladrius' manufacturing protocol for its lead cancer program, CLBS20 (NBS20), by exploring techniques to further enhance the isolation of cancer initiating cells with the goal of increasing the number of patients who might benefit from treatment |
6/19/15 |
Cellectis SA (Paris) |
Weill Cornell Medical College |
Strategic translational research alliance |
To accelerate the development of a targeted immunotherapy for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia |
The alliance will foster the development of UCART123 |
6/4/15 |
Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. (Shanghai) |
University of South Florida (USF) and Blackbird Bio Finance |
Acquisition |
Acquisition of GVAX vaccine's (CD40LGVAX) related technologies and technical knowledge |
Cellular will pay $2.5M in cash and up to $1.75M in shares of its common stock, and could pay more than $25M in future milestone and sales royalty payments |
6/30/15 |
Contravir Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Edison, N.J.) |
Baruch S. Blumberg Institute |
Agreement |
To conduct a series of experiments using CMX157, its hepatitis B program |
The research will focus on comparing the relative anti-hepatitis B activities of CMX157 and tenofovir in order to determine if it has unique anti-hepatitis B attributes not previously appreciated of tenofovir or other antiviral agents |
6/4/15 |
Cyclenium Pharma Inc. (Sherbrooke, Quebec) |
McGill University |
Agreements |
To discover modulators for promising biological targets of pharmacological interest |
McGill researchers will gain access to Cyclenium's QUEST Library of next-generation macrocyclic molecules and associated optimization capabilities, with the initial objective of identifying compounds capable of interacting with specific therapeutic targets, including several involving protein-protein interactions |
6/12/15 |
Dalcor Pharmaceuticals (San Mateo, Calif.) |
Montreal Heart Institute |
Collaboration |
To conduct an international phase III trial seeking to validate the efficacy of dalcetrapib, which could reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by as much as 39% in patients with acute coronary syndrome |
The phase III study will screen more than 30,000 patients across 30 countries in order to identify 5,000 patients having the appropriate genetic profile that is expected to benefit from dalcetrapib; Dalcor estimates that $250M will be required to complete the project |
6/9/15 |
Department of Biotechnology (India) |
Indian government |
Collaboration |
To set up bioclusters to promote the country's biotech industry |
The Indian government has allocated $14M (Rs900M) for the project |
6/11/15 |
Eisai Co., Shionogi & Co., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and Astrazeneca plc |
The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative |
Collaboration |
To accelerate the discovery of new drugs and lower the cost of developing new treatments for leishmaniasis and Chagas |
The companies will give DNDi access to millions of unique compounds in their research libraries to search out new treatment leads using the Drug Discovery Booster program |
6/11/15 |
Eli Lilly and Co. (Indianapolis) |
Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) |
Strategic partnership |
To codevelop LY3023414, a PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor |
SCRI will provide expertise and program design, as well as medical oversight and trial management; financial terms were not disclosed. |
6/18/15 |
Eli Lilly and Co. (Indianapolis) |
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
Three-year collaboration |
To research new cancer therapies |
Dana-Farber and Lilly researchers will work together on preclinical and clinical studies, molecular studies of patient samples and the design and conduct of clinical trials, and the evaluated compounds will be fully owned by Lilly; financial terms were not disclosed |
6/18/15 |
Emory University |
University of Queensland |
Research partnership |
To accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs to treat cancer, diabetes, inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases |
The Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative (QEDDI) will be led by UQ's main commercialization company, Uniquest, through a financial commitment from UQ |
6/17/15 |
Etubics Corp. (Seattle) |
National Cancer Institute |
CRADA |
To help develop and validate ETBX-011; Etubics will work the NCI's Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology to expand clinical development of ETBX-011 by adding to the drug the capacity to hit two additional targets |
Etubics is manufacturing study supplies of the modified immunotherapy, and the NCI will conduct the phase I and II studies, with the potential to be involved in randomized phase III studies |
6/29/15 |
Fate Therapeutics Inc. (San Diego) |
Boston Children's Hospital |
Two-year sponsored research agreement |
To accelerate the development of an adoptive immunoregulatory cell therapy to treat autoimmune diseases |
The collaboration seeks to assess the potential of Fate's PD-L1 programmed CD34-positive cellular therapeutic as a treatment for type 1 diabetes |
6/9/15 |
Genvec Inc. (Gaithersburg, Md.) |
David T. Curiel, director of the Biologic Therapeutic Center and the Cancer Biology Division at the Oncology in the School of Medicine at Washington University |
Collaboration |
To create modified versions of Genvec's gorilla adenovectors that incorporate specialized targeting antibodies on the surface of the vectors |
These antibodies are produced only by camels, alpacas and other camelids and are smaller and more stable in intracellular environments than their mouse or human counterparts; the goal is to create highly targeted therapeutics and vaccines |
6/4/15 |
Gilead Sciences Inc. (Foster City, Calif.) |
The Medicines Patent Pool |
Licensing agreement |
For generic manufacture of tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and other Gilead medicines |
The amendment enhances MPP's current license by allowing South African manufacturers to join Indian and Chinese companies in developing generics for low- and middle-income countries |
6/12/15 |
Grunenthal Group (Aachen, Germany) and Proteus SA (Santiago de Chile, Chile) |
Boston Children's Hospital |
Collaboration |
To develop neosaxitoxin, an anesthetic for local anesthesia and postoperative pain management |
Grünenthal has implemented a concept, Innovative Medicines Unit (IMU), tasked with building the firm's early clinical development portfolio by in-licensing projects from external sources and then leading them through to successful clinical proof of concept |
6/19/15 |
Idera Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) |
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Strategic clinical research alliance |
To advance clinical development of an intratumoral TLR9 agonist in combination with checkpoint inhibitors |
Idera plans to start the first trial of the research alliance, a phase I/II study of IMO-2125, a TLR9 agonist, in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.) in patients with metastatic melanoma; the trial will enroll approximately 45 patients |
6/9/15 |
Immune Pharmaceuticals Inc. (New York) |
Yissum (technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem) |
Memorandum of understanding |
For the worldwide exclusive licensing and development of a topical biodegradable, nanocapsule formulation of cyclosporine A |
When administered systemically, cyclosporine A (Sandimmune, Neoral) is an effective treatment for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, pemphigus vulgaris and other severe inflammatory dermatoses |
6/11/15 |
Nektar Therapeutics Inc. (San Francisco) |
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Research collaboration |
For a phase I/II study to evaluate NKTR-214, a CD122-biased cytokine designed to preferentially sitmulate production of CD8-positive T cells |
The agreement covers a study to evaluate NKTR-214 in a variety of tumor types as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies, including PD-1 pathway inhibitors |
6/3/15 |
Peptinnovate Ltd. (London) |
MRC Technology |
Collaboration |
To assess the therapeutic potential in bone diseases of Peptinnovate's peptides derived from the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis |
Scientists at MRC Technology's Centre for Therapeutics Discovery will investigate the effects of Peptinnovate's peptides in cellular models that mimic aspects of bone physiology |
6/11/15 |
Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Tustin, Calif.) |
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
Sponsored research agreement |
To explore the potential of Peregrine's phosphatidylserine-targeting antibody platform, with the goal of identifying effective treatment combinations based on PS-targeting agents, including Peregrine's lead clinical agent, bavituximab, with other checkpoint inhibitors or immune-stimulating agents |
MSK researchers will examine the combination of bavituximab alongside models of checkpoint blockade that are unresponsive to inhibition or co-stimulation |
6/1/15 |
Pharmacyte Biotech Inc. (Silver Spring, Md.) |
University of Technology Sydney (Australia) |
Research services agreement |
Related to the development of the company's treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes comprising Melligen cells that will be encapsulated in Pharmacyte's Cell-in-a-Box, a cellulose-based live cell encapsulation technology |
UTS will conduct the research funded by the company |
6/24/15 |
Pharmacyte Biotech Inc. (Silver Spring, Md.) and University of Northern Colorado |
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency |
Research partnership |
Obtaining a Schedule 1 license enabling the company to continue development of tumor-targeted treatments for serious and deadly cancers by using cannabinoid prodrugs in combination with Cell-in-a-Box live cell encapsulation |
With the DEA license, it is now possible for researchers at UNC to obtain both the plant material and specific cannabinoid reference standards needed to conduct the research |
6/16/15 |
Plasmatech Biopharma-ceuticals Inc. (New York) |
University of Minnesota |
Licensing agreement |
Plasmatech licensed an AAV gene therapy and IP to treat patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) disorder and other rare blood diseases |
Financial terms were not disclosed |
6/16/15 |
Regen Biopharma Inc. (San Diego) |
Santosh Kesari of the University of California, San Diego |
Collaboration |
To address questions posed by the FDA regarding the planned phase I/II trial assessing safety with signals of efficacy of the dcellvax gene-silenced dendritic cell immunotherapy for treating breast cancer and to modify the existing new drug application |
The proposed trial will recruit 10 patients with metastatic breast cancer and will involve four monthly injections of the dendritic cell therapy; the trial will last one year, with tumor assessment before therapy and at six and 12 months |
6/11/15 |
R-Tech Ueno Ltd. (Tokyo) |
Autonomous University of Barcelona and Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (Catalonia, Spain) |
Collaboration |
To develop a VAP-1 inhibitor to treat cerebral infarction |
The drug, RTU-009, is believed to have an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect |
6/9/15 |
Theratechnologies Inc. (Montreal) |
Massachusetts General Hospital |
Collaboration |
On a project to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tesamorelin to treat HIV patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis |
The study will enroll a total of 60 HIV-infected patients with NAFLD/NASH, who will receive either tesamorelin (2 mg/day) or a placebo |
6/10/15 |
JULY | |||||
Achaogen Inc. (South San Francisco) |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
Contract |
To fund the discovery and development of LpxC inhibitors for the treatment of bacterial infections |
Contract for $1.5M over the next year, with the possibility of additional funding of up to $3M over the next three years |
7/17/15 |
Apceth GmbH & Co. KG (Munich, Germany) |
Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne |
Partnership |
For the development of immunotherapies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies |
The collaboration is based on combinations of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells against tumor-associated antigens, and Apceth-developed engineered mesenchymal stem cells |
7/13/15 |
Argen-x NV (Breda, the Netherlands) |
Clinical Research Department of the University of Bern |
Exclusive license agreement |
Enabling the company to develop and commercialize ARGX-110-based therapies to overcome treatment-resistance mechanisms in hematologic tumors |
Preclinical work has demonstrated its potential to overcome Gleevec (imatinib, Novartis AG) resistance in chronic myelogenous leukemia |
7/31/15 |
Aslan Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) |
National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) |
Agreement |
To initiate collaborative projects focused on increasing the understanding of novel combinations of known therapeutic agents, including Aslan's ASLAN001 and ASLAN002, through preclinical research involving patient-derived cell lines and xenograft models |
The parties also will run joint trials studying treatments for Asia-prevalent gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma |
7/17/15 |
Bavarian Nordic A/S (Copenhagen) |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
Exercised contract options |
To develop a vaccine that accelerates and enhances the immune response against Marburg virus, a member of the filovirus family |
The contract, originally awarded in 2012, will provide approximately $15M in additional funds, bringing the total value of the contract to approximately $33M |
7/1/15 |
Bavarian Nordic A/S (Copenhagen) |
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority |
Supply contract |
For its Imvamune smallpox vaccine |
The contract is worth $133M; BARDA ordered a bulk supply of material, which can be converted into freeze-dried lots at a later date |
7/8/15 |
Bioasis Technologies Inc. (Vancouver, British Columbia) |
Brigham and Women's Hospital Inc. |
Collaboration |
To study neuro-oncology, which will be headed, in part, by Sean Lawler, research in the Department of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School |
The collaborative effort will focus on the Transcend peptide carrier, MTfp, including MTfp-TZM, MTfp-siRNA and MTfp-miRNA within glioblastoma models, with the intension of advancing the trastuzumab program to clinical trials |
7/23/15 |
Biogen Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) |
Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center |
Strategic alliance |
Designed to understand the underlying biology of Parkinson's disease and to create tools and programs to accelerate research and development of PD treatments |
The multiyear collaboration will include efforts to discover gene targets and modifier genes that might serve as therapeutic targets, create well-defined patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, study gastrointestinal symptoms related to PD, search for quantitative and symptom-based trial endpoints and identify additional potential therapeutic approval pathways; Biogen will fund research activities by the Institute and provide insight into research design, data analysis and program support |
7/28/15 |
Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) |
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center |
Sponsored research agreement |
To advance scientific understanding of the molecular mechanism and effects of Catabasis' CAT-2000 series of molecules on the Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein pathway in treating patients with metabolic disorders |
The research program is designed to help determine the potential effects of the CAT-2000 series on serious lipid disorders involving cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose |
7/28/15 |
Celtic Biotech (West Des Moines, Iowa) |
Emory University |
Research agreement |
To conduct a phase I study to demonstrate that cell-penetrating peptide Crotamine can be made into a suitable radiopharmaceutical for imaging lung cancers with positron emission tomography in a clinical setting |
Terms were not disclosed |
7/7/15 |
Cynata Therapeutics Ltd. (Melbourne, Australia) |
University of Sydney |
Collaboration |
To test the potential therapeutic efficacy of its Cymerus mesenchymal stem cells in animal models of myocardial infarction and associated heart rhythm abnormalities |
Terms were not disclosed |
7/31/15 |
Emergent Biosolutions Inc. (Gaithersburg, Md.) |
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority |
Contract |
To develop and manufacture cGMP lots of three Ebola monoclonal antibodies in CHO cell lines at a 2,000 liter scale |
The contract is valued at $19.7M; under the two-year contract, the company will conduct process development, analytical method development, execute small-scale production runs and perform cGMP cell banking leading to cGMP manufacture of bulk drug substance |
7/21/15 |
Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Turku, Finland) |
Turku positron emission tomography center |
Agreement |
For the development of its cancer immunotherapy Clevegen |
The candidate targets a cell surface receptor called Clever-1, an adhesion, scavenging and signaling molecule involved in cancer growth; a research grant of undisclosed sized from Tekes, the Finnish Technology and Development Center, will fund the project |
7/1/15 |
Fate Therapeutics Inc. (San Diego) |
Regents of the University of Minnesota |
Research collaboration |
For the development of natural killer (NK) cell-based cancer immunotherapeutics |
Fate will utilize its cell programming approach and induced pluripotent stem cell technology to pursue the development of optimized "off-the-shelf" NK cell-based cancer therapeutics |
7/15/15 |
Galapagos NV (Mechelen, Belgium) |
Hubrecht Organoid Technology |
Licensing agreement |
For use of organoid technology for preclinical research in cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel disease |
Financial terms were not disclosed |
7/16/15 |
Glaxosmithkline plc (London) |
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center |
Collaboration |
To treat leukemia and other diseases by eliminating cancer stem cells |
The collaboration is part of GSK's Discovery Partnerships with Academia program, where academic partners become core members of drug-hunting teams; this latest team will work to discover and develop a new therapeutic compound that inhibits RNA editing, a process cells use to enhance RNA diversity prior to translating genetic information into proteins |
7/9/15 |
Ignyta Inc. (San Diego) |
University of California, San Francisco |
Collaboration |
To study entrectinib in a proof-of-concept trial in metastatic melanoma that is positive for activating alterations in the tyrosine kinase receptors NTRK1/2/3 or ROS1 |
Terms call for the company to contribute $1M toward funding of the UCSF trial and to provide per-patient fees based on enrollment and participation of NTRK-positive or ROS1-positive patients; Ignyta also will provide the study drug |
7/8/15 |
Incyte Corp. (Wilmington, Del.) |
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center |
Multiyear research support and collaboration agreement |
To Incyte to provide funding for certain cancer research activities at Vanderbilt to improve understanding of basic cancer biology and the mechanisms of action of certain Incyte compounds |
The deal also aims to identify and develop new approaches to patient selection for oncology drug development |
7/8/15 |
Janssen Biotech Inc. (Horsham, Pa.) |
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation |
Collaboration |
On the daratumumab expanded access program, which launched for eligible multiple myeloma patients in the U.S. |
Daratumumab is an investigational human anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody being evaluated as a potential multiple myeloma monotherapy treatment |
7/7/15 |
Kineta Inc. (Seattle) |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
Contract |
To develop its broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics for a variety of viral diseases, including some with no known therapies |
The contract is valued at $1.4M for the base period, with options to exercise an additional $2.52M over two to three years |
7/30/15 |
Monopar Therapeutics LLC (Lake Forest, Ill.) |
Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Technology |
Agreement |
To move Monopar's antibody treatment, HuATN-658, into the clinic in patients with advanced solid tumors |
Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development will finance and complete preclinical development of HuATN-658 and conduct a phase I trial; upon completion, Monopar has the right to acquire the clinical trial data |
7/10/15 |
MRC Technology |
Georg-August-University Gottingen |
Exclusive license |
To develop a therapy for neurodegenerative diseases based on antibody-targeting amyloid beta peptides |
They will seek to develop a therapy for Alzheimer's disease; the license granted UMG access to the antibody humanization expertise of MRCT's Centre for Therapeutics Discovery and the work of its therapeutic antibody group; MRCT received an exclusive global license to the intellectual property rights of UMG on a therapeutic approach to treat sporadic and familial AD, based on a particular panel of antibodies; the agreement calls for both organizations to receive downstream payments from development and out-licensing of the antibody, with the income used for additional research |
7/29/15 |
Pfizer Inc. (New York) and its Centers for Therapeutic Innovation |
Jeffrey Modell Foundation |
Collaboration |
To research in the field of immunological diseases by identifying and co-funding translational research projects with academic medical centers in the CTI network |
Each project will seek to identify and validate a potential drug candidate for an immunological disease that can be moved into further clinical testing |
7/9/15 |
Sernova Corp. (London, Ontario) |
Massachusetts General Hospital |
Research collaboration |
To pursue a treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes using a local immune protectant technology within Sernova's cell pouch, which uses biocompatible polymers to develop vascularized subcutaneous tissue chambers for the placements, survival and long-term function of islets and other therapeutic cells |
The collaboration is supported by $150,000 in funding from the JDRF |
7/8/15 |
Synthetic Biologics Inc. (Rockville, Md.) subsidiary Putney Drug Corp. |
Regents of the University of California |
Amended license and clinical trial agreements |
To grant Putney licenses under additional patent rights and other UC intellectual property, including related know-how, not currently licensed, related to the use of Estriol (and related compounds) |
The rights are for the treatment, prevention or palliation of any autoimmune disease, condition or indication, including, multiple sclerosis |
7/10/15 |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Osaka, Japan) |
Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (Geneva) |
Agreement |
To identify the best compound in the aminopyrazole series for developing an innovative drug to treat visceral leishmaniasis |
The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, an organization promoting and funding R&D for drugs and vaccines needed in developing countries, is investing about ¥400M (US$3.2M) into DNDI for the program |
7/28/15 |
Tapimmune Inc. (Seattle) |
Mayo Clinic |
Option agreement |
To secure a worldwide exclusive license to commercialize a folate receptor alpha vaccine technology in all cancer indications |
The technology, developed at the Mayo Clinic, has completed phase I trials in ovarian and triple-negative breast cancer; Tapimmune said it plans to initiate a phase II trial of the drug in triple negative breast cancer this year, followed later by a trial in ovarian cancer; under terms of the license agreement, the investigational new drug application covering the trial will be transferred to Tapimmune |
7/28/15 |
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research |
The Michael Stern Parkinson's Research Foundation |
Agreement |
To merge their organizations to advance research on the cause, diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease |
The MSPRF's operations will be transitioned to the MJFF, and the partnership will create the Michael Stern Discovery Grants in Parkinson's Science to provide strategic funding for PD discovery science and build on initial findings around emerging targets to accelerate drug development |
7/1/15 |
AUGUST | |||||
Allied-Bristol Life Sciences LLC (Boston) |
Yale University |
Worldwide licensing agreement |
For a platform technology and associated lead molecules that will be further developed to treat diseases such as prostate cancer |
The synthetic molecules, known as antibody-recruiting molecules, work by harnessing the power of the body's own immune system to treat cancer |
8/28/15 |
Amarantus Bioscience Holdings Inc. (San Francisco) |
U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research and Rutgers University |
CRADA |
To expand the development of the autologous full thickness skin replacement product, Engineered Skin Substitute, to treat deep partial- and full-thickness burn wounds in adult patients |
The research will compare patients' response to ESS with meshed split-thickness autograph. Amarantus anticipated starting phase II studies in the third quarter |
8/4/15 |
Berg Pharma LLC (New York) |
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine |
Collaboration |
To research heart disease |
The university will provide clinical tissue samples from both healthy and diseased cohorts, while Berg will analyze the samples using its artificial intelligence-based Interrogative Biology platform, with the goal of discovering biomarkers for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure |
8/20/15 |
Biogen Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) |
ALS Association and Columbia University Medical Center |
Collaboration |
To advance the understanding of similarities and differences in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease process and the influence of genes on clinical features of the disease |
The project, Genomic Translation for ALS Clinical Care, will encompass next-generation genetic sequencing and detailed clinical phenotyping in 1,500 people with ALS |
8/19/15 |
Biothera Inc. (Eagen, Minn.) |
Cancer Research UK |
Funding agreement |
For preclinical research of cancer immunotherapy, Imprime PGG, in combination with monoclonal antibody therapies as a precursor to a phase I/II study in Rituxan-refractory follicular lymphoma |
The research will be conducted at the Manchester Academic Health Sciences Center |
8/19/15 |
Biotime Inc. (Alameda, Calif.) |
The Wistar Institute (Philadelphia) |
Expanded collaboration |
To develop a noninvasive blood-based test for early detection of lung cancer |
They will continue their research with the goal of analyzing an expanded patient sample set |
8/20/15 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (New York) |
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and the Northwestern Medicine Developmental Therapeutics Institute |
Collaboration |
To investigate immuno-oncology therapies as potential treatment options for patients who have aggressive disease with an increased potential for early metastasis to multiple sites and/or are initially refractory or subject to early recurrences with conventional cancer therapies |
They will conduct a range of early phase clinical studies; BMS will fund positions within the NMDTI Developmental Therapeutics Fellowship program |
8/4/15 |
Cellular Therapeutics Ltd. (Manchester, UK) |
The Cell Therapy Catapult (London) |
Manufacturing contract |
To accelerate its clinical program to develop an engineered T-cell treatment for blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome |
The contract will run for the next two to three years, supporting current phase I and II trials of the treatment, which involves genetic modification of the patient's own T cells, so that they may recognize and destroy WT1-expressing cancer cells when infused back into the body |
8/4/15 |
CMC Biologics (Seattle) |
PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative |
Agreement |
Deal for process development and manufacture of specific monoclonal antibodies to test for their capacity to protect humans from malaria infection |
CMC Biologics will develop a CHEF1 production cell line and process for manufacture of MVI's monoclonal antibody, targeting circumsporozoite protein, for use by MVI in clinical research to study protection from P. falciparum infection |
8/13/15 |
Curevac GmbH (Tubingen, Germany) |
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
Collaboration |
To start the third target product development program |
It will leverage Curevac's RNActive technology platform in the development of a prophylactic vaccine to protect against respiratory syncytial virus |
8/5/15 |
Emergent Biosolutions Inc. (Gaithersburg, Md.) |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Exercised option contract |
Exercised options under its contract for the supply of vaccinia immune globulin in to the Strategic National Stockpile |
VIGIV is licensed by the FDA for the treatment of complications due to smallpox vaccination; the contract options, valued a $44M over two years, will require Emergent to collect plasma for future manufacturing in addition to current collection requirements, conduct manufacturing runs and conduct additional activities in support of maintaining the FDA licensure of VIGIV |
8/14/15 |
Enuneral Biomedical Holdings Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) |
University of Massachusetts Medical School |
Collaboration |
Umass Medical School will furnish Enumeral with tissue and blood samples from melanoma patients who are treated with Yervoy (Ipilimumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.) |
Enuneral will cover the cost of tissue collection; Enumeral will have access to the samples for research-only use in in-vitro studies |
8/27/15 |
Esperance Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Baton Rouge, La.) |
MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Strategic alliance |
To accelerate the clinical development of EP-100 to treat ovarian cancer and to collaborate on preclinical studies of EP-100 to treat breast cancer |
MD Anderson will conduct additional studies to help prepare for a phase III trial of EP-100 |
8/25/15 |
Formula Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Berwyn, Pa.) |
Max Delburck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association |
Exclusive licensing agreement and strategic collaboration |
To develop cytokine induced killer cell-based chimeric antigen receptor immunotherapies using MDC's SB100X transposase |
The SB100X system will be incorporated into Formula's CIK CAR technology platform to develop therapies targeting unmet needs in cancer and autoimmune disease |
8/4/15 |
Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology Inc. |
Connecticut Children's Medical Center |
Agreement |
Agreement to co-develop a process for repairing or replacing the esophagus to treat life-threatening pediatric conditions such as esophageal atresia |
The product will be a bioengineered scaffold that is seeded with the patient's own cells; it will serve as a conduit that will become the patient's new esophagus; the collaboration entails a preclinical program designed to accelerate development efforts of new treatment options |
8/13/15 |
Hemispherx Biopharma Inc. (Philadelphia) |
Mytomorrows |
Agreement |
Deal to start an early access program in all of Europe and Turkey for rintatolimod for chronic fatigue syndrome |
Terms were not disclosed |
8/11/15 |
Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH (Tuebingen, Germany) |
MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Collaboration |
To form a $60M U.S. subsidiary called Immatics U.S. Inc. |
It will bring together MD Anderson's cell therapy expertise with Immatics' Xpresident cancer peptide discovery technology to develop both autologous and allogeneic treatments; the formation is funded by $40M from its parent company and a $19.7M grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas |
8/27/15 |
LSK Biopharma (Salt Lake City) |
University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute |
Exclusive, license agreement |
To develop and commercialize HCL-1401, an orally bioavailable, small-molecule irreversible inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase |
The new asset doubles the cancer pipeline at LSK |
8/10/15 |
Mabvax Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (San Diego) |
Rockefeller University's Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology |
Research collaboration |
To explore the mechanism of action of constant region variants of the Humab 5B1 in the role of tumor clearance |
The objective is to optimize Fc receptor-mediated antibody function |
8/7/15 |
Merck & Co. Inc. (Kenilworth, N.J.) |
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Agreement |
Agreement to collaboration to evaluate Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or antitumor medicines |
Studies will be conducted in three tumor types – gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma – over the three-year period of the collaboration |
8/14/15 |
Minerva Biotechnologies Inc. (Waltham, Mass.) |
IPS Academia Japan Inc. |
Nonexclusive license and worldwide rights agreement |
To use and commercialize the induced pluripotent stem cells patent portfolio from IPS Academia |
The IP arises from the work of Shinya Yamanaka, who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2012 for his discovery of four genes that can reprogram an adult's cell; the agreement allows Minerva to generate and sell naïve state human iPS cells as well as mature cells derived from them |
8/5/15 |
Oxis Biotech Inc. (Tampa, Fla.) |
University of Pittsburgh |
Amended exclusive option agreement |
For patent rights related to the addition of certain compositions of matter, which could prove useful as therapeutics to treat various human diseases |
To date, the p62 inhibitors developed by university scientists have demonstrated inhibition of multiple myeloma cell growth without toxicity to normal bone marrow stromal cells |
8/5/15 |
Pfenex Inc. (San Diego) |
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority |
Contract |
Five-year, cost plus fixed fee contract for advanced development of Px563L |
The contract is worth up to $143.5M and will fund activities related to current good manufacturing practice manufacturing of the mutant recombinant protective antigen anthrax vaccine and a phase Ia trial |
8/18/15 |
Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Tarrytown, N.Y.) |
Johns Hopkins University |
Exclusive worldwide licensing deal |
For (18F)DCFPyl, or Pyl, a clinical-stage prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted imaging agent for prostate cancer |
Pyl, when used with high-resolution PET imaging, has shown potential for use in identifying prostate cancer and sites of relapse |
8/5/15 |
Psychogenics Inc. (Tarrytown, N.Y.) |
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine |
Licensing agreement |
Licensing agreement for an alpha synuclein transgenic mouse model, Line 1, which overexpresses human wild-type alpha synuclein under control of the MBP-promoter in oligodendrocytes |
The model will be used to research alpha synuclein in the pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy |
8/12/15 |
Soligenix Inc. (Princeton, N.J.) |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
Exercised option |
To advance the development of Soligenix's heat-stabilized ricin toxin vaccine, Rivax |
The exercised option provides Soligenix with an additional $2.7M in funding |
8/20/15 |
Soligenix Inc. (Princeton, N.J.) |
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
Exercised option |
To advance preclinical development of Orbeshield (oral beclomethasone 17,21-dipropionate, or oral BDP) |
The 12-month option provides an additional $2.1M to Soligenix to advance Orbeshield as a medical countermeasure for the treatment of gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome |
8/28/15 |
Viamet Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Research Triangle Park, N.C.) |
Mycoses Study Group Education & Research Consortium |
Collaboration |
To advance a therapy for cryptococcal meningitis and other life-threatening fungal infections |
The partnership will combine the antifungal drug discovery and development expertise of Viamet with the strategic clinical development expertise of the MSGERC and will initially focus on VT-1129 |
8/27/15 |
SEPTEMBER | |||||
Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Irvine, Calif.) |
Ramot at Tel Aviv University Ltd. (Tel Aviv, Israel) |
Research collaboration |
For a preclinical anti-beta amyloid small-molecule candidate for neuroprotection and dry age-related macular degeneration |
Aerie will undertake all research and development programs, and Ramot will receive development milestone payments and royalties; the deal lasts one year with an option for Aerie to obtain an exclusive license from Ramot for further development of the candidate for all ophthalmic indications |
9/10/15 |
Agilis Biotherapeutics LLC (Cambridge, Mass.) |
University of South Florida |
Worldwide licensing agreement |
For technologies used in the treatment of cognitive disorders through the replacement of reelin, an extracellular signaling protein that has been shown to affect biochemical pathways involved with memory, learning and cognition |
Agilis will also sponsor research with USF professor Edwin Weeber to advance the clinical potential of Reelin in a range of CNS indications, including fragile X |
9/18/15 |
Amyris Inc. (Emeryville, Calif.) |
Infectious Disease Research Institute |
Agreement |
To explore testing and development of an Amyris material for use in adjuvant formulations to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines |
Amyris will provide its materials for testing new adjuvant formulations, and the organizations will work together to explore their use to improve the global supply of important vaccines |
9/10/15 |
Amyris Inc. (Emeryville, Calif.) |
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Biological Technologies Office |
Multiyear Technology Investment Agreement |
To create new research and development tools and technologies that will significantly reduce the time and cost of bringing new molecules to market |
Among those efforts is a focus on development of next-generation tools and technologies with the goal of compressing the time to market for any new molecule by at least 10-fold in both time and cost |
9/24/15 |
Berg LLC (Boston) |
National Institutes of Health |
CRADA |
Materials-cooperative research and development agreement for BPM 31510 to treat kidney cancer |
BPM 31510 reverses the Warburg effect and targets the energy source of the cancer cell itself |
9/9/15 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (New York) |
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (Queensland, Australia) |
Collaboration |
To discover therapeutic antibodies as treatments for an undisclosed immuno-oncology target |
BMS will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization of any antibodies discovered through the agreement; financial terms were not disclosed |
9/1/15 |
Caladrius Biosciences Inc. (Basking Ridge, N.J.) |
Sanford Research |
Collaboration |
To develop the company's T regulatory cell therapy candidate, CLBS03, to treat adolescents with recent-onset type 1 diabetes |
The partners initially plan to conduct a prospective, double-blind phase II trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CLBS03 in 111 adolescents; subjects will be randomized to placebo or one of two active arms, receiving 10 or 20 million cells/kg; the primary endpoint is preservation of C-peptide, a measure of the preservation of beta-cell function, in comparison to placebo |
9/23/15 |
Celgene Corp. (Summit, N.J.) |
Recombinant Antibody Network (consortium comprising research groups from UC San Francisco, the University of Chicago and the University of Toronto) |
Collaboration |
To support the development of next-generation, antibody-based cancer therapies |
Celgene agreed to pay $25M for the option to enter future license agreements to develop and commercialize promising therapeutic antibodies to cancer-related targets |
9/16/15 |
Cellectis SA (Paris) |
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Research and development alliance |
Aimed at bringing cellular immunotherapies to patients with different types of liquid tumors |
The alliance aims to develop immunotherapies based on Cellectis' allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR, platform |
9/4/15 |
Celtic Biotech (subsidiary of Spotlight Innovation Inc.; West Des Moines, Iowa) |
Instituto Butantan (Sao Paulo, Brazil) |
Exclusive patent license agreement |
For the use of Crotamine, a neurotoxin derived from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus, as a potential imaging agent for cancer and gene therapy delivery vector |
Celtic intends to run validation studies with the intent to move into phase I studies studying Crotamine as a positron emission tomography radiopharmaceutical imaging agent for lung cancer tumors |
9/10/15 |
Chimerix Inc. (Durham, N.C.) |
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority |
Extended contract |
To develop the broad spectrum antiviral, brincidofovir, as a medical countermeasure to treat smallpox |
The extension provides an additional $13M to the company for a period of 15 months |
9/15/15 |
Cleveland Biolabs Inc. (Buffalo, N.Y.) |
Department of Defense office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program |
Contract |
To support further development of entolimod as a medical radiation countermeasure |
Contract was valued at up to $9.2M |
9/3/15 |
Curevac GmbH (Tubingen, Germany) |
AIDS Vaccine Initiative |
Partnership |
To accelerate the development of AIDS vaccines through the use of immunogens developed by IAVI and its partners |
IAVI will provide several stabilized HIV envelope trimer sequences, which Curevac will transfer its RNActive technology for preclinical and clinical development |
9/11/15 |
Evotec AG (Hamburg, Germany) |
CHDI Foundation Inc. |
Extended and expanded collaboration |
To develop treatments for inherited neurodegenerative disorder Huntington's disease |
Through August 2018, CHDI will fund 55 full-time scientists at Evotec |
9/3/15 |
Inhibrx LLC (La Jolla, Calif.) |
The Alpha-1 Project Inc. |
Collaboration |
To develop a recombinant alpha-1 antitrypsin therapeutic with improved properties |
TAP is making an equity investment in the company's AAT entity; terms of the collaboration and equity investment were not disclosed |
9/18/15 |
Janssen Inc. (part of Johnson & Johnson; New Brunswick, N.J.) |
Ontario government, the University of Toronto and MaRS Discovery District |
Collaboration |
To launch a JLABS incubator model in Toronto |
JLABS @ Toronto is scheduled to open in spring 2016 in MaRS Discovery District and will assist start-ups with lab space, programs and possible investment partners |
9/9/15 |
Kite Pharma Inc. (Santa Monica, Calif.) |
Netherlands Cancer Institute |
Expanded agreement |
Kite will receive an exclusive option to license a number of T-cell receptor gene sequences to develop and commercialize cancer immunotherapy candidates targeting solid tumors |
Kite also expanded its access to additional resources and research facilities through a master services agreement with NKI; Kite Pharma EU, based in Amsterdam, will be conducting preclinical research related to candidates under the agreement with NKI |
9/15/15 |
Medimmune (Gaithersburg, Md.) |
Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Technology |
Agreement |
To work together at a new UK-based lab focused on the discovery and development of biologic cancer treatments and diagnostics |
The CRUK-Medi Alliance Laboratory provided the equipment and operational funding for the lab and will contribute a portfolio of drug targets |
9/11/15 |
Opko Health Inc. (Miami) |
The Scripps Research Institute |
Global license deal |
For the development and commercialization of lipoprotein signal peptidase inhibitors developed and discovered using a high-throughput screening technology funded and exclusively licensed by Opko |
Terms were not disclosed |
9/10/15 |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Tarrytown, N.Y.) |
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority |
Agreement |
To develop, test and manufacture a monoclonal antibody therapy to treat Ebola virus infection |
HHS will provide initial funding of $17M to support preclinical development and antibody manufacturing, which is intended to support an investigational new drug application with the FDA; options in the agreement provide for an additional $21M for a phase I study in healthy volunteers |
9/22/15 |
Sernova Corp. (London, Ontario) |
University Health Network of Toronto |
Licensing agreement |
To gain exclusive worldwide rights to certain patent-pending technologies developed by UHN researchers |
Those technologies relate to the development of stem cells into glucose-responsive therapeutic cells to treat patients with insulin-dependent diabetes |
9/11/15 |
Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (Beijing) |
Beijing government |
Supply agreement |
Sinovac was selected to be a supplier of the seasonal influenza vaccine for its 2015 vaccination campaign |
The government plans to order a minimum of 1.2M doses of the seasonal flu vaccine from four manufacturers |
9/15/15 |
Spark Therapeutics Inc. (Philadelphia) |
Wistar Institute |
Collaboration |
Designed to improve the durability of gene therapy treatments targeting the liver by advancing new ways to manage the immune response to treatment |
The two-year research collaboration, which combines Wistar's expertise in viral immunology with Spark's gene therapy research and development capabilities, will focus on advancing gene therapy technologies for liver-targeted indications, such as hemophilia |
9/8/15 |
Vaccinogen Inc. (Baltimore) |
Dublin City University |
Exclusive option agreement |
Two-year option to evaluate and acquire a high-throughput multiplex, analysis platform, called DiCAST for Direct Clone Analysis and Selection Technology |
Vaccinogen said that it intends to use the platform to expand and accelerate its human monoclonal antibody program, screening patient-derived biological samples acquired after gaining anti-cancer immunity |
9/10/15 |
Visterra Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) |
Serum Institute of India Ltd. |
Licensing agreement |
For the development, manufacture and commercialization of VIS-513, Visterra's preclinical humanized monoclonal antibody dengue vaccine in the Indian subcontinent countries |
Serum Institute's license covers territories including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka; the institute will pay Visterra $5M up front plus up to $34M based on the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones; should VIS-513 be commercialized, Visterra would be eligible to receive tiered, double-digit royalties |
9/10/15 |
Yabao Pharmaceutical Co. Inc. (Beijing) |
University of South Australia |
Collaboration |
On the discovery and development of cancer drugs |
The university will identify drug candidates in a co-funded laboratory led by researcher Shudong Wang; Yabao will provide cash and in-kind contributions in return for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize drug candidates in China |
9/9/15 |
Zedira GmbH (Darmstadt, Germany) |
Cardiff University |
Agreement |
For a project addressing questions regarding the role of the transglutaminase 6 enzyme in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases |
The work aims to build on and extend previous collaborations between the two partners in the arena of the autoantibody response in gluten-related disorders |
9/23/15 |
Notes This chart does not include grants or contract awards, or agreements between biotech companies and clinical trial centers. The date indicated refers to the BioWorld Today issue in which the news item can be found. Some institutions listed have for-profit components. CRADA = Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. For more information about individual companies and/or products, see Thomson Reuters Cortellis. |