Innate and Novo sign licensing deal
Innate Pharma SAS has signed an important research, development and licensing deal with Novo Nordisk aiming at the generation of a new therapeutic class of immuno-modulatory antibodies targeting natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are a subset of non-conventional lymphocytes involved in immune regulation, and exerting direct cyto-toxicity towards a wide range of tumour targets. Molecular understanding of this promising field emerged in the late 90s thanks to the pioneering work of scientists associated with Innate Pharma. This novel therapeutic strategy has been recently validated in leukemia patients1.
Innate Pharma SAS has signed an important research, development and licensing deal with Novo Nordisk aiming at the generation of a new therapeutic class of immuno-modulatory antibodies targeting natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are a subset of non-conventional lymphocytes involved in immune regulation, and exerting direct cyto-toxicity towards a wide range of tumour targets. Molecular understanding of this promising field emerged in the late 90s thanks to the pioneering work of scientists associated with Innate Pharma. This novel therapeutic strategy has been recently validated in leukemia patients1.
Under the terms of this agreement, Innate Pharma grants Novo Nordisk with exclusive rights for one family of receptor targets expressed by NK cells. Innate Pharma has obtained preliminary proof of concept for products acting on this target. Novo Nordisk and Innate Pharma will now collaborate in a research program to further develop this concept for treatment of cancer. Major European academic institutions from Italy, France and Sweden will contribute with valuable research and consultancy. Novo Nordisk will be the sole party to develop and commercialise the resulting product. Innate Pharma will retain some rights to later develop the product in orphan indications. Innate Pharma is eligible for license fees, milestone payments and royalties. Novo has rights for all indications, the primary target indications being in oncology. Financial terms will not be disclosed.
Herve Brailly, CEO of Innate Pharma, said: 'This is a very important agreement for Innate Pharma from a scientific, strategic and financial standpoint, and a major step-up for a product-oriented company such as Innate. This agreement provides the company with a third party validation for its innovative approach targeting non-conventional lymphocytes. Novo Nordisk is a reference partner in the field of therapeutic proteins, bringing to the project a comprehensive panel of technologies in protein engineering, and first class development and marketing capacities, thus maximising chances of technical and commercial success. Through this deal, Innate Pharma secures significant short term cash, providing comfort to the company to implement its clinical development program in the next years. In case of success, the Novo Nordisk alliance may also bring key revenues to Innate in the long run. We feel that the product has a great potential not only in cancer, but also to address effectively and safely other life-threatening conditions affecting the immune system.'