Roche and BioCryst partner on organ transplant drug

Roche has announced that it has licensed an experimental compound from US firm BioCryst Pharmaceuticals.

The compound, known as BCX-4208, is seen as a potential drug for organ transplant rejection and auto-immune diseases.

BCX-4208 is believed to have a potent ability to modulate T-cell activity. T-cells help the body determine when to initiate immune responses and when to accept or reject newly transplanted organs.

By specifically modulating T-cell activity, BCX-4208 may offer transplant and autoimmune patients a more efficacious and tolerable treatment option.

“BioCryst’s BCX-4208 is a promising addition to our pipeline,” said Peter Hug, Roche’s global head of pharma partnering.

“As a new therapeutic agent with a novel mechanism of action, it has the potential to offer significant improvement in treatment for transplant recipients and patients suffering from autoimmune related diseases.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will obtain worldwide rights to BCX-4208 in exchange for a $25 million up-front payment and a $5 million payment as reimbursement for supply of material during the first 24 months of the collaboration.

Future event payments could reach $530 million in addition to royalties on product sales of BCX-4208.

© Adfero Ltd