BTG and GSK form collaboration for development of TRX4

BTG has announced that its licensee Tolerx and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have collaborated to develop and commericalise TRX4 (otelixizumab), a humanised anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, for type one diabetes and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

The alliance will see BTG receive a payment of $10 million (Five million pounds) and 50 per cent of any future milestone payments in relation to the success of TRX4.

TRX4 has already been evaluated for type 1 diabetes in two Phase II studies as well as being subject to a Phase I study for its use in psoriasis.

The studies have shown TRX4 to preserve the function of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas in patients with type one diabetes, reducing the amount of administered insulin needed to control blood glucose levels.

Dr Moncef Slaoui, chairman of research and development at GSK, stated: “Otelixizumab is another welcome addition to GSK’s rapidly expanding biopharmaceuticals pipeline.

“This is a key area of future growth and investment for GSK and, as a novel treatment for many T cell-mediated diseases, the potential of otelixizumab is significant,” he added.

Earlier this month, GSK announced that Andrew Witty will join the company as chief executive officer designate.