Abilita Therapeutics and Finnish pharmaceutical company Orion have entered into a global licensing and multi-target research collaboration to develop next-generation cancer therapies.
This partnership is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of antibody therapeutics for oncology and pain.
The companies will use Abilita Therapeutics’ proprietary Enabled Membrane Proteins (EMP) platform to target difficult multi-span membrane proteins (MMPs).
Abilita Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company, will lead discovery and optimisation efforts.
On the other hand, Orion will hold exclusive rights to license development candidates for each target, advancing them through further development and commercialisation.
Abilita Therapeutics founder and CEO Mauro Mileni said: “This collaboration combines Abilita’s strength in discovering breakthrough antibody therapeutics for challenging membrane protein targets with Orion’s proven expertise in oncology, pain, clinical development, and commercialisation.
“We are excited to leverage our EMP platform, the most advanced directed evolution approach, to unlock targets to generate high-value therapeutics.
“The partnership with Orion allows us to accelerate promising therapeutics into the clinic as part of our broader plan to advance our pipeline.”
As per the agreement, Orion can exclusively license an undisclosed Abilita Therapeutics’ discovery programme once a development candidate is identified.
Orion also has the option to nominate two additional MMP targets for licensing. In addition to upfront payments for each target, Orion will fund all joint discovery efforts.
Abilita Therapeutics, which is backed by Two Bear Capital, stands to earn up to $785m in milestone payments for all three targets, plus royalties on commercial sales.
Orion innovative medicines and research and development (R&D) senior vice president Outi Vaarala said: “We are looking forward to this exciting collaboration with Abilita.
“Orion is dedicated to improving the lives of the patients through innovative R&D and gaining access to Abilita’s proprietary EMP technology provides us new opportunities on our path to develop novel therapies.”
Orion is engaged in developing human and veterinary drugs, along with active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines, as well as consumer health products.
Its pharmaceutical R&D focuses on oncology and pain, with proprietary products used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory conditions, and more.
In September this year, Orion partnered with Aitia for oncology drug development.
