06.17.13
MedImmune, AstraZeneca’s global biologics R&D arm, and NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. have entered into an exclusive agreement to discover, develop and commercialize therapeutics from NGM’s enteroendocrine cell (EEC) program for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The two companies will jointly advance first-in-class peptide and antibody drug candidates based on the discovered EEC hormones. MedImmune will have the option to license in these EEC targets, and will be responsible for the global development, manufacture and commercialization of compounds resulting from the collaboration. MedImmune will make an upfront payment, provide research funding, and if certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones are achieved, NGM will be entitled to receive various payments and royalties on worldwide sales.
“We believe that hormones found in the gastrointestinal tract can play an important role in resolving diabetes after bariatric surgery. Through NGM’s innovative research in metabolic disease, we believe our collaboration could lead to potential innovative medicines for diabetes and obesity that will make a difference in patients’ lives,” said Cristina Rondinone, Ph.D., head of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Innovative Medicines Unit, MedImmune. “Our partnership with NGM complements AstraZeneca’s existing small molecule and biologics portfolio in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, one of our core therapy areas.”
“We are excited to enter into this strategic partnership with MedImmune as it represents a unique opportunity to maximize the full complement of novel hormones secreted by these EECs for drug discovery purposes,” said Jin-Long Chen, Ph.D., founder, president and chief scientific officer of NGM. “Together, NGM and MedImmune will build upon the culture of scientific excellence at both organizations. With Medimmune’s deep biologics and development expertise, we are confident that we will further enrich the pipeline of therapies for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.”
The two companies will jointly advance first-in-class peptide and antibody drug candidates based on the discovered EEC hormones. MedImmune will have the option to license in these EEC targets, and will be responsible for the global development, manufacture and commercialization of compounds resulting from the collaboration. MedImmune will make an upfront payment, provide research funding, and if certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones are achieved, NGM will be entitled to receive various payments and royalties on worldwide sales.
“We believe that hormones found in the gastrointestinal tract can play an important role in resolving diabetes after bariatric surgery. Through NGM’s innovative research in metabolic disease, we believe our collaboration could lead to potential innovative medicines for diabetes and obesity that will make a difference in patients’ lives,” said Cristina Rondinone, Ph.D., head of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Innovative Medicines Unit, MedImmune. “Our partnership with NGM complements AstraZeneca’s existing small molecule and biologics portfolio in cardiovascular and metabolic disease, one of our core therapy areas.”
“We are excited to enter into this strategic partnership with MedImmune as it represents a unique opportunity to maximize the full complement of novel hormones secreted by these EECs for drug discovery purposes,” said Jin-Long Chen, Ph.D., founder, president and chief scientific officer of NGM. “Together, NGM and MedImmune will build upon the culture of scientific excellence at both organizations. With Medimmune’s deep biologics and development expertise, we are confident that we will further enrich the pipeline of therapies for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.”