Lilly and BioMS Medical Announce Global Licensing and Development Agreement
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Eli Lilly and Company and BioMS Medical Corp. announced that the two companies have entered into a licensing and development agreement granting Lilly exclusive worldwide rights to BioMS Medical's lead multiple sclerosis (MS) compound, MBP8298.
The compound is currently being evaluated in two pivotal phase III clinical trials in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and one phase II clinical trial in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly and BioMS Medical will collaborate on the development of MBP8298 and will also share in certain development costs with Lilly being responsible for future R&D, manufacturing and marketing activities.
BioMS Medical will receive an upfront payment of $87 million, as well as potential development and sales milestones up to $410 million and escalating royalties on sales commensurate with the current stage of development of the product if MBP8298 is successfully commercialized. BioMS Medical will continue to oversee the current clinical trials. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Lilly is pleased to add yet another promising late-stage compound to our portfolio," said Dr. William W. Chin, M.D., vice president of discovery research and clinical investigation for Lilly.
"Multiple sclerosis is a disease with significant unmet patient needs. MBP8298 has shown potential in slowing the progression of secondary progressive MS, and thus may provide an effective therapeutic option for patients with this debilitating disease. We are also hopeful that MBP8298 may prove beneficial in treating patients with relapsing remitting MS. We intend to fully leverage our expertise in neuroscience to continue the development of this novel molecule."
"We are very pleased to collaborate with Lilly on the worldwide development of MBP8298," said Kevin Giese, President and CEO at BioMS Medical. "Lilly's well established leadership in the neurology arena and considerable resources, expertise and proven ability to launch first-in-class drugs will help MBP8298 to realize its full development and commercial potential."
