Singapore: India-based Zydus Cadila and Pieris, a next generation therapeutic protein R&D company, have entered into an alliance for development and commercialization of multiple novel anticalin-based protein therapeutics.

Under the terms of the agreement, Zydus will take the lead in advancing anticalin drug candidates through formal preclinical development and into clinical development, undertaking drug development in accordance with ICH guidelines. Zydus has been granted exclusive marketing rights in India and several other emerging markets, while Pieris retains exclusive marketing rights in key developed markets.

The most advanced program in the collaboration is PRS-110, an anticalin specific for c-Met, a target becoming increasingly validated across a broad spectrum of tumors. PRS-110, which is a pure antagonist due to its monovalent target engagement, has demonstrated the ability to inhibit both ligand-dependent and independent c-Met activity in a variety of animal models. Through this unique collaborative model, the companies seek to develop candidates to proof-of-concept and will explore outlicensing opportunities in Pieris' territories at the appropriate time.

Mr Pankaj R Patel, chairman and MD, Zydus group, said that, "Collaborating with established biotech companies on differentiated drug candidates is an important component of Zydus' ongoing transformation into an innovation-led global healthcare provider, and we are pleased to add anticalins to our novel biologics pipeline."

Mr Stephen Yoder, CEO, Pieris, added that, "With Zydus' state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and seasoned drug development team, this collaboration will allow Pieris to unlock value on a global scale in a cost-effective manner, significantly expanding the number of proprietary anticalin programs we can advance into clinical trials."