AMD

Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have agreed to collaborate on the development of a new antibody to platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-ß) as a potential combination therapy with EYLEA (aflibercept) to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

According to the preclinical data, combining PDGFR-ß blockade with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade by EYLEA can be advantageous over inhibiting VEGF alone in the treatment of wet AMD.

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The company said that first in human clinical studies are currently scheduled to in the next couple of months.

Bayer HealthCare member of the executive committee and head of global development Kemal Malik said: "Given the multi-factorial nature of wet AMD, there is a potential for additional benefits to patients by addressing different pathways responsible for this devastating condition.

"Inhibition of PDGF is one such pathway and we are looking forward to developing a potential combination therapy together with Regeneron.

"Given the multi-factorial nature of wet AMD, there is a potential for additional benefits to patients by addressing different pathways responsible for this devastating condition. Inhibition of PDGF is one such pathway."

"Bayer is strongly committed to expanding its ophthalmology research and development efforts with innovative treatment options and this new development candidate complements our own pipeline perfectly."

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As part of the deal, Bayer will make an upfront payment of $25.5m to Regeneron and share global development costs for the development programme, while it will also have exclusive commercialisation rights to the combination drug outside the US where the firm will share profits from ex-US sales equally with Regeneron.

In the US, Regeneron has exclusive commercialisation rights and will retain 100% of the profits from sales and will also be eligible to receive about $40m in option and milestone payments through regulatory approval from Bayer.

Bayer is responsible for certain payments due to a third party, including royalties on ex-US sales and a share of development milestones.

Image: Intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Photo: courtesy of Dcirovic.

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