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BioVersys AG, a multi-asset, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Switzerland, focusing on research and development of novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, has announced a research and exclusive license option agreement with the Japanese pharmaceutical company, Shionogi & Co. to jointly develop novel ansamycin leads from BioVersys’ BV500 programme into clinical candidates.
Under the terms of the agreement, BioVersys will receive an upfront payment and near-term research payments totaling CHF 5.0 million. Once clinical candidates have been selected, Shionogi may exercise a license option for which BioVersys would be eligible to receive up to CHF 479 million in regulatory and sales milestones, as well as tiered royalties on global sales.
The BV500 NTM programme is derived from the company’s proprietary Ansamycin Chemistry platform. BioVersys’ research teams in Lille (France) and Basel (Switzerland) have identified and developed several advanced, highly potent and orally bioavailable lead candidates, with broad-spectrum in vitro and in vivo anti-NTM activity, which are devoid of cross-resistance with other therapeutic classes.
The joint research teams aim to deliver clinical candidates and back-up molecules during the research collaboration period. Shionogi will have the exclusive option to license a selected number of molecules for further clinical development and global commercialization.
The BV500 programme arose from a successful collaboration within the SmartLab public private partnership with the University of Lille (France) as an incubator for early-stage idea generation, underlining that efficient research in the field of antibiotics works best in collaboration. The BV500 programme has also received funding support and access to key expertise from the CF AMR Syndicate and the EU IHI funded RespiriN programme. Where applicable, these partnerships will continue during the ongoing research and development of BV500.
