US-based biopharmaceutical firm Hydra Biosciences has signed a research collaboration and licence agreement with Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim to discover small-molecule transient receptor potential (TRP) inhibitors.
The firms will work together to identify small-molecule TRP inhibitors, in a bid to develop new treatment for renal diseases and disorders.
Hydra Biosciences president and CEO Russell Herndon said: "This partnership between Boehringer Ingelheim and Hydra Biosciences provides an excellent opportunity to maximise the potential of novel targets that may offer meaningful improvements in the treatment of chronic kidney diseases and other related diseases and disorders."
"Boehringer Ingelheim’s long track-record of research, development and commercialisation success makes them the perfect partner for this programme."
Under the agreement, the firms will discover and advance the development of candidate inhibitors.
Boehringer will take responsibility for global development and commercialisation of the inhibitors that result from the collaboration.
The deal will allow Hydra to secure an undisclosed upfront payment and additional research funding. It is also eligible to receive milestone payments and tiered royalty payments on future product sales.
Boehringer Ingelheim research and non-clinical development senior corporate vice-president Dr Michel Pairet said: "This new collaboration agreement with Hydra Biosciences reflects the importance and value Boehringer Ingelheim places in developing strong research partnerships to discover new treatments for renal diseases and related disorders."
In 2014, both firms collaborated to research and develop small-molecule TRPC4/5 inhibitors to treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases and disorders.
Image: Boehringer Ingelheim research and non-clinical development senior corporate vice-president Dr Michel Pairet. Photo: courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH.