Gilead Sciences has received exclusive worldwide rights to research, develop and commercialise Boehringer Ingelheim’s novel non-catalytic site integrase inhibitors (NCINIs) for HIV.

Included in the agreement is Boehringer’s BI 224436 lead compound, which has recently been evaluated in a Phase1a dose-escalation study.

NCINIs work by targeting the component of the virus responsible for viral DNA’s incorporation in the human genome, inhibiting HIV integrase by binding it to a novel site.

Under the terms of the agreement, Boehringer will receive an upfront payment and could also receive additional milestone payments based on development, regulatory and commercial advancements.