Eli Lilly and Nektar Develop Autoimmune Therapy

(c) Alexander Raths/Shutterstock
(c) Alexander Raths/Shutterstock

US pharma companies Eli Lilly and Nektar Therapeutics have signed an agreement to jointly develop the latter’s novel immunotherapy, NKTR-358, which could potentially treat a number of autoimmune and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The collaboration would be worth as much as $400 million for Nektar.

Currently in Phase I development, NKTR-358 is a potential first-in-class resolution therapeutic that might address an underlying immune system imbalance in patients with many autoimmune conditions. The drug targets the body’s interleukin (IL-2) receptor complex to stimulate proliferation of regulatory T cells, which Nektar said could rebalance the immune system, leading to a profound clinical impact and healthy organ function in autoimmune conditions.

Under the terms of the deal, Nektar will receive an initial payment of $150 million and is also eligible for up to $250 million in additional development and regulatory milestones, as well as double-digit royalties on future sales. Nektar will complete Phase 1 clinical development while the two partners will share the costs of Phase 2 development with Eli Lilly paying 75% and Nektar 25%. Nektar will also have the option to participate in Phase 3 development on an indication-by-indication basis.

Eli Lilly will be responsible for all costs relating to global commercialization. Nektar will have an option to co-promote in the US under certain condition.

The transaction remains subject to antitrust clearance and other customary closing conditions.

As well as auto-immune disease, Nektar’s pipeline of investigational medicines also includes treatments for cancer and chronic pain. In May, Nektar formed a collaboration with Millennium Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical, to explore the combination of Nektar’s lead immuno-oncology candidate NKTR-214, with five of Takeda’s oncology compounds.

The partners will look at the anti-cancer activity of NKTR-214 with five different targeted mechanisms in pre-clinical tumor models of lymphoma, melanoma and colorectal cancer.

Innovation Pitch

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences
Discover Tomorrow’s Innovators

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences

CHEManager Innovation Pitch supports innovation in the chemistry and life sciences start-up scene. The platform allows founders, young entrepreneurs, and start-ups to present their companies to the industry.

Whitepaper

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
Setting the Standard

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

Are you ready to elevate your pharmaceutical operations? Download our exclusive whitepaper and discover how compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is essential for the safety and integrity of pharmaceuticals.