Amagma Therapeutics announced a licensing agreement with Innovent Biologics for up to three enzyme specific inhibitors derived from Amagma’s proprietary SEIZMIC Platform.
This morning, newly-emerged Amagma Therapeutics announced a licensing agreement with China-based Innovent Biologics for up to three enzyme specific inhibitors derived from Amagma’s proprietary SEIZMIC Platform.
The SEIZMIC Platform, which stands for Selective Inhibition of enZymes through structural and Molecular Insights and Conformations, harnesses a structure-based approach in order to identify highly selective antibodies that inhibit dysregulated proteases and other enzymes of interest, according to the Waltham, Mass.-based startup.
The partnership allows Innovent access to early discovery antibodies and provides Amagma with manufacturing capabilities.
On its website, Amagma noted that inhibitory antibodies have the potential to become a best-in-class modality in inflammatory disease, given the limitations of small molecule therapeutics. Through its ability to design antibody therapies with high specificity and affinity, its approach will provide for low off-target effects, less toxicity and favorable pharmacokinetics.
For Innovent, the partnership with Amagma will allow the company to access novel, first-in-class molecules for inflammatory disorders that have little to no existing treatment options. For Amagma, the partnership will grant the company clinical manufacturing for its lead programs and a regional partner in China that has extensive expertise in protein engineering and manufacturing.
Tillman Gerngross, founder and CEO of antibody specialist company Adagio Therapeutics and serves as chairman of the board of directors at Amagma, touted the mutual beneficiary-style partnership with Innovent, saying it highlights an “innovative approach” that allows his company to gain manufacturing expertise in exchange for insight into novel disease biology through the SEIZMIC platform.
“Innovent has demonstrated themselves to be an excellent partner with robust capabilities and strong execution. We look forward to working with Innovent to potentially advance these novel therapies,” Gerngross said in a statement.
Under the terms of the agreement, Innovent will be responsible for manufacturing the three programs through a Phase II study. If Innovent exercises its option under the agreement terms, the company will be responsible for researching, developing, and commercializing each program in Greater China. Outside of China, Amagma will be responsible for global research and development, as well as potential commercialization.
Amagma will be eligible for development, approval, and commercial milestones if Innovent exercises its options. Financial terms were not disclosed. Amagma may also receive royalties on net sales of any commercial products in the territory.
Amagma currently has three programs in preclinical development, with two more in the discovery phase. The company has not disclosed the targets for its assets, but Amagma said it is pursuing “enzyme targets with strong genetic and/or biologic rationales in disease categories with high unmet medical needs and large patient populations.”
