Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) has partnered with uniQure to develop new gene therapies for cardiovascular diseases.
Under the deal, BMS will be provided with exclusive access to uniQure’s gene therapy technology platform for multiple targets in cardiovascular diseases.
The deal will cover uniQure’s proprietary gene therapy programme for congestive heart failure that is intended to restore the heart’s ability to synthesise S100A1, a calcium sensor and master regulator of heart function.
Both firms will work on up to ten targets, in addition to the potential for target-exclusive collaboration in other disease areas.
BMS discovery head Dr Carl Decicco said: “Collaborating with uniQure, a clear leader in the field with an innovative and validated gene therapy platform, further strengthens our capability to bring forward transformational new therapeutics for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure.”
Under the terms of the agreement, BMS will pay near-term payments of around $100m, including an upfront payment of $50m and a $15m payment for the selection of three collaboration targets in addition to S100A1.
The deal will also allow uniQure to receive research, development and regulatory milestone payments of up to $254m for the lead S100A1 therapeutic and up to $217m for each other gene therapy product potentially developed under the collaboration.
In addition, uniQur is eligible to secure net sales based milestone payments and tiered single to double-digit royalties on product sales.
BMS will be responsible for development and regulatory activities across all programmes, as well as for all research and development costs.
uniQure will be involved in discovery efforts and be responsible for manufacturing of clinical and commercial supplies using its vector technologies and industrial insect-cell based manufacturing platform.
BMS will alone take responsibility for commercialisation of all products from the collaboration.
Image: Entrance to the Bristol-Myers Squibb site at Reeds Lane, Moreton, Wirral, England. Photo: courtesy of Rept0n1x.
