Crucell N.V. and allied contract manufacturer DSM Biologics have signed a PER.C6 research license agreement with Japanese pharmaceutical company UMN Pharma. This license agreement allows UMN Pharma to use the PER.C6 cell line in its UMN-03 project, which aims to employ a fusion protein in the treatment of muscular dystrophy and metabolic diseases such as obesity and type II diabetes mellitus. Also, the two companies will provide UMN Pharma with various services including vector construction, clone generation, process development and cGMP manufacturing, through its own facilities in Groningen, The Netherlands and within the PER.C6 vendor network.

Under the terms of the agreement, UMN Pharma will pay a signing fee and annual maintenance fees. The additional services will also attract fees. Further financial details were not disclosed.