Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Biocon, Ltd. have entered into an exclusive agreement to develop, commercialize and manufacture a novel peptide therapeutic for the potential treatment of diabetes. The two companies will collaborate to develop the compound using Amylin’s phybrid technology and will share development costs. A phybrid is a peptide hybrid molecule that combines the pharmacological effects of two peptide hormones into a single molecular entity.

Amylin will provide expertise in peptide hormone development, as well as metabolic disease therapeutics. Biocon will use its recombinant microbial expression expertise to manufacture the compound and will use its experience in preclinical and clinical development of diabetes products.

“This agreement fully leverages the synergistic capabilities of the two companies,” said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairman and managing director, Biocon. “Amylin’s knowledge of peptide therapeutics and their leadership in the diabetes market, paired with Biocon’s capabilities in process development, manufacturing and clinical development, provides this global program with the potential to effectively bring a novel therapy to patients living with diabetes.”

“This program could unleash the potential of cutting-edge peptide science to transform the lives of patients with diabetes,” said Daniel M. Bradbury, Amylin’s president and chief executive officer. “We are pleased to work with Biocon, a biologics innovator and world-class manufacturing expert, and look forward to collaborating with them on this exciting program.”

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