Tetra, Shionogi sign deal; Amgen remunerates; Gilead’s fibrotic disease deal

Tetra, Shionogi sign USD 40 Million deal for Alzheimer’s disease and fragile X syndrome

Tetra Discovery Partners is collaborating with Shionogi to progress its PDE4-targeting drug in Alzheimer’s disease and fragile X syndrome. Shionogi will give a USD 5 million upfront payment and USD 35 million in equity. This will let Tetra earn up to USD 120 million in development and commercial milestones. The USD 40 million will let Michigan-based Tetra to finish an ongoing phase 2 trial in fragile X and to start another phase 2 trial in early Alzheimer’s disease.

Amgen remunerates USD 50 Million for preclinical bispecific of Molecular Partners 

Amgen is remunerating Molecular Partners USD 50 million for global rights to preclinical anti-cancer immune cell activator MP0310. The Molecular partners will examine the 4-1BB-FAP bispecific molecule in combination with Amgen drugs including its bispecific T-cell engagers. Antibodies that target T cell co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB, also known as CD137, have exacerbated in animal models, but the field has been hindered by hepatotoxicity and struggles to translate the efficacy seen in preclinical into the clinic. Molecular Partners responded to the highs and lows of 4-1BB drug development by developing a drug designed to hit the target and FAP simultaneously.

Gilead hands Scholar Rock USD 80 Million in fibrotic disease agreement

Gilead and Scholar Rock are collaborating for fibrotic diseases that hinder the activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). Gilead is giving USD 80 million upfront for the exclusive option to permit global rights to three Scholar Rock programs. The companies revealed two of Scholar Rock’s programs- inhibitors targeting the activation of latent TGFβ1 with high affinity and specificity and those that target latent TGFβ1 in the extracellular matrix.