Ochre Bio has entered a strategic collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to discover and develop new regenerative treatments for treating chronic liver diseases (CLDs).

The multiyear, multitarget deal aims to address conditions such as late-stage metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis, utilising Ochre Bio's discovery platform.

Ochre Bio's platform, which integrates machine learning with extensive human data, including advanced imaging and deep genomic phenotyping, will be instrumental in identifying, characterising, and validating new regenerative targets for CLDs.

Furthermore, the company's expertise in ribonucleic acid chemistry and proprietary ex-vivo human-organ perfusion models will also play a critical role in this process.

Under the deal, Boehringer will develop new therapies that can modulate these targets, enhancing the natural ability of the liver to repair itself and potentially preventing or reversing disease progression.

This partnership will leverage Ochre Bio's ability to expedite the discovery and validation of new targets for liver diseases, building on the company's strengths in human data and disease modelling.

As per the agreement terms, the total deal value could surpass $1bn with Ochre Bio entitled to receive up to $35m in upfront and near-term research-based milestone payments.

Additionally, Ochre Bio is eligible for further milestone payments on meeting clinical, regulatory, and commercial goals, as well as tiered royalties.

Boehringer Ingelheim Cardiometabolic Diseases Research global head and senior vice-president Søren Tullin said: “Our partnership with Ochre Bio is driven by a shared goal to accelerate the development of new treatments for chronic liver diseases including MASH cirrhosis.

“Ochre Bio brings to the table unique and exciting capabilities in liver disease research. We believe their application of advanced genomics and machine learning coupled with human-centric translational models holds the potential to uncover novel regenerative pathways that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by chronic liver disease.”

In March this year, Boehringer Ingelheim entered a deal with Sosei Heptares to develop a new class of treatments for all schizophrenia symptoms.