Bayer Partners with DelSiTech to Develop; Amgen and Arrowhead Announce; Allergan, AstraZeneca’s deal; Lexicon Pharma announces deal

Bayer Partners with DelSiTech to Develop Innovative Drug Delivery Technology for Ophthalmology

Bayer has partnered with a Finnish drug delivery and drug developmental company,DelSiTechLtd., through a Collaboration and Technology Licence Agreement. The agreement gives Bayer’s compounds a worldwide application of DelSiTech’s Silica Matrix drug delivery platform, especially in ophthalmology. DelSiTech is entitled to receive a number of undisclosed milestone payments triggered by the successful completion of different stages of development, and Bayer will fund all developmental and commercialization costs of the collaborative projects.

Amgen and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Announce Two Cardiovascular Collaborations

The collaboration of Amgen and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is for the development and commercialization of RNA interference (RNAi) therapies for cardiovascular disease.Under one agreement, Amgen receives a worldwide, exclusive license to Arrowhead‘s novel, RNAi ARC-LPA program. These RNAi molecules are designed to reduce elevated lipoprotein. Under the second agreement, Amgen receives an option to a worldwide, exclusive license for RNAi therapy for an undisclosed genetically validated cardiovascular target. In both agreements, Amgen will be wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization.

Allergan, AstraZeneca Enter Licensing Agreement for MEDI2070

Allergan and AstraZeneca have entered an agreement for the global rights to MEDI2070, an anti-IL-23 monoclonal antibody currently in Phase II development for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and other related conditions. AstraZeneca will receive $250 million upfront and potential payments of as much as $1.27 billion, including launch milestones of up to $435 million and sales-based milestones of $725 million, as well as royalties on product sales.

Lexicon Pharma announces Agreement to Buy Out Remaining Obligations to Symphony Icon

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that it has entered into an agreement to buy out its remaining obligations under its clinical development financing arrangement with Symphony Icon Holdings LLC upon regulatory approval in the United States for the marketing and sale of telotristat ethyl. Under the buyout arrangement, Lexicon will make a single payment to Symphony Icon of $21.013 million upon U.S. regulatory approval of telotristat ethyl.