Bayer signs eye disease therapy partnership

Bayer announced a new collaboration with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to develop treatments for eye diseases such as “wet” age-related macular degeneration.

This type of disease is caused by the presence of a protein called the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can cause the abnormal formation of blood vessels behind the retina, causing blurred vision loss and potentially blindness.

Regeneron has created a “VEGF Trap” that binds to the VEGF protein, thereby inhibiting its action. The treatment is administered directly and is currently undergoing phase I and II clinical trials.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will make an upfront payment of $75 million (40 million pounds). The two companies will split development costs, estimated at $250 million over the next few years, while Regeneron will be able to receive $110 million in development milestone payments, as well as $135 million in sales milestones.

Arthur Higgins, chairman of the Bayer HealthCare board of management, remarked: “The VEGF Trap is an excellent strategic fit for Bayer, which underscores our commitment to specialty pharmaceuticals.”

“We are encouraged by the early clinical data we’ve seen and believe the VEGF Trap has the potential to further transform the treatment paradigm for patients suffering from diseases of the eye,” he added.

As well as developing new treatments for age-related macular degeneration, the companies hope to treat diabetic eye diseases and other types of eye disease.

Novartis and Pfizer have also developed treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration.