Eli Lilly pays Repertoire up to 1.925 billion dollars for cooperation

(CONNECT) Repertoire Immune Medicines has entered into a strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company, an international research-based pharmaceutical company based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, to develop tolerizing therapies for immune disorders, according to a press release. These therapies are intended to restore the dynamic balance of the immune system, which fights infections, in those affected. They are intended to enable a lasting remission of their diseases without the general immunosuppression that is common with currently available therapies.

The research is aimed at programmable immune drugs targeting T cells. Repertoire is pioneering the discovery of T cell receptor epitopes using its proprietary DECODE platform. The biotech company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zurich is thus decoding the entire immune synapse.

Under the terms of the agreement, Repertoire will use its DECODE platform to discover and develop candidates for the development of tolerizing therapies. Repertoire manages the cooperation activities up to the nomination of the development candidates. Lilly is responsible for clinical development, manufacturing, approval and marketing. In return, Repertoire will receive an upfront payment of 85 million dollars and potential milestone payments of up to 1.84 billion dollars.

This offers Repertoire, according to Dr. Torben Straight Nissen, Chairman and CEO of Repertoire, "the opportunity to translate the unique discoveries of our DECODE platform into potentially paradigm-shifting new medicines for autoimmune patients by addressing the root cause of immune dysregulation and restoring their immune system to a healthier state." Lilly's leadership in immunology gives Repertoire "great hope for the impact our innovation can have in the hands of such an exceptional partner". ce/mm