 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Basel, 17 July 2006
Actelion and Roche enter
into autoimmune disorder collaboration
Co-development and co-promotion agreement
for Actelion’s phase I S1P1 receptor agonist
Roche and Actelion announced
today that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize
Actelion’s selective S1P1 receptor agonist, an immunomodulator with the potential for once-a-day oral
dosing. The compound is currently being developed in phase I. The two companies plan to jointly develop
and commercialize this novel compound for multiple autoimmune disorders.
“We
are very pleased to partner with Actelion in this area where there are still a number of high unmet
medical needs and only few treatment options are available,” said Roche Chairman and CEO Franz B. Humer.
“This collaboration is a further step to strengthen our emerging autoimmune disease franchise.”
Jean-Paul
Clozel, MD and Chief Executive Officer of Actelion commented: “I am very proud about our collaboration
with Roche, an excellent partner to develop and promote multiple indications in parallel. Together,
we are well prepared to turn Actelion’s scientific breakthrough in selective S1P1 receptor agonists
into a treatment that has the potential to dramatically improve medical care for patients with autoimmune
disorders.”
About financial terms of the collaboration
The
S1P1 collaboration covers both the current selective S1P1 receptor agonist in phase I as well as any
other selective S1P1 receptor agonists resulting from Actelion’s research efforts in the field. Roche
will pay Actelion an upfront payment of USD 75 million in the second half of 2006. In the case of future
development and approval milestones being achieved, Actelion will be eligible to receive payments of
up to USD 555 million for the first compound for all targeted indications. Further development and approval
milestone payments are due for further compounds. On all product sales, Roche will pay Actelion undisclosed
royalties.
For the current selective S1P1 receptor agonist, Actelion
will fully fund all development activities up to the end of phase II for the first two indications.
All subsequent development and commercialization costs will be shared equally between Roche and Actelion.
Both companies will co-promote any product resulting from this collaboration and equally share profit.
The
science behind selective S1P1 receptor agonists
Sphingosine-1-phospate (S1P) is
a phospholipid released by platelets, mast and other cells. It is currently established that S1P stimulates
at least five different G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs): S1P1,2,3,4, and 5. Activation of these
GPCRs mediates a complex variety of biological responses, such as lymphocyte migration, endothelial
cell proliferation, blood vessel constriction, heart rate modulation and others.
Actelion’s
efforts in the field of selective S1P1 receptor agonists started in 1999 by focusing on receptors found
on the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. The result of these research efforts is Actelion’s
orally active selective S1P1 receptor agonist currently undergoing phase I safety and tolerability testing.
Additional
discovery and early pre-clinical development efforts in the field of selective S1P1 receptor agonists
are underway at Actelion’s research facilities in Allschwil, Switzerland.
About
autoimmune disorders
Autoimmune disorders are diseases caused by the body producing
an immune response against its own tissues. The cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. Some of the
most common types of autoimmune disorders include psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis,
inflammatory bowel disease and rejection of transplanted organs. These disorders affect millions of
people worldwide.
About Roche as a Partner
Roche
is a valued partner to more than 50 companies worldwide. Over the past two years, Roche has led the
pharmaceutical industry in the number of clinical compound deals signed. In 2005, Roche entered into
nine partnerships to jointly develop products for optimal patient benefit and value. Partnerships continue
to strengthen Roche’s positions in oncology, virology, transplantation, and primary care. Roche’s partnering
culture encourages innovation through a unique pairing of collaboration and autonomy.
About
Actelion
Actelion Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company with its corporate headquarters
in Allschwil/Basel, Switzerland. Actelion's first drug Tracleer, an orally available dual endothelin
receptor antagonist, has been approved as a therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Actelion markets
Tracleer through its own subsidiaries in key markets worldwide, including the United States (based in
South San Francisco), the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. Actelion, founded
in late 1997, is a leading player in innovative science related to the endothelium – the single layer
of cells separating every blood vessel from the blood stream. Actelion focuses on the discovery, development
and marketing of innovative drugs for significant unmet medical needs. Actelion shares are traded on
the SWX Swiss Exchange. Additional information about Actelion is available on the Internet (www.actelion.com).
About
Roche
Headquartered
in Basel,
Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of
pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early detection,
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to
improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier
of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals
Division totalled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 8.2 billion
Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic
alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Additional
information about the Roche Group is available on the Internet (www.roche.com).
All
trademarks
used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. |
|
|
|
|
|
Researcher on a mircroscope
|
|
|
|
|
print this page