Biotica regains rights to rapamycin analogue programme
Will continue development for indications in MS and systemic lupus erythematosus
Biotica Technology, a UK biotechnology company focused on polyketide therapeutics, has regained full rights from Pfizer to its rapamycin analogue programme, including transfer of data and materials.
Biotica partnered Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in the rapamycin analogue programme in 2006 (acquired by Pfizer in October 2009) and it includes clinical candidates for the treatment of neuro-inflammatory and other diseases.
‘Our compounds are supported by a strong data package generated by Pfizer, and show evidence of meaningful differentiation in diseases with significant unmet need,’ said Edward Hodgkin, chief executive of Biotica.
Since the original research and licensing agreement in 2006, Pfizer has explored the potential of these compounds in several diseases, including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Biotica said it would continue development in these indications.
‘The decision to return this programme to Biotica was made as part of Pfizer’s portfolio review process,’ said Mary Collins, chief scientific officer at Prizer’s Immunology and Autoimmunity Research Unit.
Having consolidated its position in polyketide engineering after the purchase of IP from Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2009, Biotica is advancing a pipeline of engineered polyketides including its anti-viral cyclophilin inhibitors and the rapamycin analogue programme.
