Bayer has announced a research collaboration and license deal with Indian drug discovery company Curadev aimed at discovering new drug candidates for treating lung, cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases using Curadev’s Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) antagonist program.

The program offers tremendous potential for new treatments, said Bayer, as STING is known to play a role in activating the innate immune system in auto-inflammatory diseases. The German group will gain exclusive access to Curadev’s novel molecules designed to inhibit the STING pathway. The companies will optimize and advance these molecules into clinical development, as well as any others generated during the collaboration.

 Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will make an upfront payment to Curadev, which will also receive research funding and may be eligible for pre-clinical, clinical and sales milestones potentially worth above €250 million, as well as royalties of a single-digit percentage of net sales.

“In line with our strategy, we continue to deepen our understanding of pathology in disease areas with high unmet medical need and further strengthen our research activities on mechanisms with broader potential, rather than individual indications,” said Joerg Moeller, member of the executive committee of Bayer's pharmaceuticals division and head of research and development.

“We are continuously looking for new breakthroughs to improve patients’ lives and Curadev’s deep experience working on the STING pathway makes them an ideal partner,” Moeller added.

Last May, Curadev disclosed it had licensed its novel lead small molecule STING agonist CRD5500 to Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceuticals. The Indian firm added that it has built a strong track record of out-licensing intellectual property and collaboration with other industry partners such as Endo Pharmaceuticals, Medivation and Roche.