Closely-held Vasomune Therapeutics and AnGes (Tokyo, TYO:4563) signed a global co-development agreement for the development and commercialization of therapeutics treating diseases associated with blood vessel dysfunction and destabilization.
Vasomune is a spin-out from Sunnybrook Research Institute and MaRS Innovation, both of Toronto. The collaboration is designed to advance Vasomune’s peptide-based Tie2 receptor agonist program, initially for the treatment of critical care indications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), into clinical development.
There is currently no approved therapeutics for ARDS. The parties expect to initiate clinical trials in 2020. In addition, the parties have an option to co-develop compounds for additional indications associated with vascular dysfunction and leakage, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, glaucoma and vascular complications of diabetes.
Under the accord, AnGes would provide Vasomune with multi-million dollar co-development contributions, including upfront and clinical milestone fees. The initial objective of the partnership is to achieve human proof of concept in ARDS, which alone is potentially a $2.5-billion market opportunity worldwide.
“Vasomune is enthusiastic to combine our technology, scientific and preclinical expertise with the significant development capabilities and track record of our colleagues at AnGes through this unique partnership structure to maximize the opportunity for a Tie2 receptor agonist to benefit patients,” Parimal Nathwani, president and CEO of Vasomune, said in a statement.
Ei Yamada, president and CEO of AnGes, said the program represents a significant commitment by AnGes to advance and develop truly innovative biotherapeutics towards commercialization for the benefit of patients.”
