Amunix Operating
Inc. announced today that Biogen Idec BIIB has exercised
its option to enter into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement to
research and develop novel, fully-recombinant Factor VIII products
with improved therapeutic properties. Under the terms of the option
agreement, Amunix will receive an upfront $1 million payment and will
also be eligible to receive up to $38 million in clinical and
commercial milestone payments. In addition, royalties will be paid on
commercial sales by Biogen Idec for Factor VIII products
incorporating Amunix proprietary XTEN technology.
In March 2011, Amunix and Biogen Idec initiated a Research and Option
Agreement under which both companies would collaborate to combine
Amunix's expertise in protein half-life extension and its proprietary
XTEN technology with Biogen Idec's expertise in both hemophilia and
engineering long-lasting coagulation factors. Under the license
agreement announced today, Biogen Idec triggered its option for
XTENylated Factor VIII products. Biogen Idec will be responsible for
developing, manufacturing and commercializing therapeutic product
candidates resulting from the collaboration.
"We are pleased to be working with Biogen Idec as our partner, and
their decision to exercise this option validates the utility of our
XTEN technology," said Volker Schellenberger, PhD, Amunix President
and Chief Executive Officer. "The initial research collaboration
resulted in the discovery of molecules that are clearly
differentiated from current Factor VIII products in that they retain
procoagulant activity while having unprecedented half-life in animal
models," Dr. Schellenberger added. "Collaborations such as ours with
Biogen Idec are a central element of the Amunix strategy to
facilitate the use of XTEN in a wide range of therapeutic
applications."
About Amunix
Amunix Operating Inc., a biotechnology company
headquartered in Mountain View, CA, has developed a novel half-life
extension technology based on XTEN; hydrophilic, unstructured
polypeptides which can be recombinantly fused or chemically
conjugated to other peptides, proteins and small molecules. Through
this proprietary XTEN technology, the company creates and develops
novel versions of clinically-proven pharmaceutical products that may
offer better efficacy, safety and dosing frequency by extension of
the half-life. Two XTEN products, Exenatide-XTEN (VRS-859) and
hGH-XTEN (VRS-317), have completed Phase 1 studies through Amunix
partners Diartis and Versartis, respectively. Versartis is currently
conducting a Phase 2a study with VRS-317 in pediatric growth hormone
deficient patients. In addition to its partnership with Biogen Idec,
Amunix is working with Janssen Biotech, Inc. and its affiliates to
apply the XTEN half-life extension technology with protein and/or
peptide therapeutics selected by Janssen. Amunix has several other
undisclosed partners in various therapeutic areas. Founded in 2006,
Amunix is a profitable, independent biotechnology company with no
external investors. Amunix is actively seeking partnerships for
application of its XTEN technology. For additional information about
the company, please visit www.amunix.com.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Comments
Loading...
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
Join Now: Free!
Already a member?Sign in