Roche signs inflammatory disease drug agreement

Roche has signed a new drug development agreement with BioTie to develop a fully human antibody drug intended to be used for inflammatory diseases.

The VAP-1 antibody targets the vascular adhesion protein-1 and inhibits it, helping to “regulate” the flow of white blood cells to inflamed tissues, BioTie states.

This is the latest deal between the two companies after a period of cooperation.

Roche and BioTie are already working on BioTie’s VAP-1 SSAO to develop enzyme small molecule inhibitor candidates and under the terms of the latest agreement, Roche will pay BioTie five million euros for a worldwide licensing agreement for VAP-1, excluding New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore.

The initial payments are due upon completion of phase I clinical trials, with the possibility of further options in later stages of the drug’s development.

BioTie is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange and was formed in 2002, having developed nalmefene, a treatment for alcohol abuse. The company has existing collaborations with Roche, Sanofi-Aventis and Somaxon and its product pipeline focuses on inflammation and thrombosis.