Cyon Therapeutics announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Novartis for their anti-PCSK9 antibody, LGT-209. The licensing deal brings with it worldwide rights for use in SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and the prevention and treatment of sepsis. Cyon plans to move immediately into a Phase II clinical program with the antibody; the Phase 1 already successfully completed confirmed that LGT209 was well tolerated and effective in lowering cholesterol, a key mechanism of action expected to prevent and improve outcomes in patients with or at risk for sepsis. The deal includes regulatory and commercial milestones. No financial details were released.
“Severe infection leading to sepsis remains a significant unmet medical need. Cyon’s novel discovery work highlighting a key role of PCSK9 levels and genotype with predisposition to organ failure in the ICU setting, can now advance immediately into a Phase II RCT of this anti-PCSK9 antibody. LGT-209 could be positioned to be a broad spectrum complement to all antibiotics in severe infection”, said Dr. John Boyd, CEO of Cyon. “Our programme will use a single injection of LGT-209 as a novel method for clearance of endotoxin and other bacterial toxins. To potentially enrich patient selection, Cyon’s trial will also evaluate several innovative predictive biomarkers for response to the anti-PCSK9 antibody. Cyon will recruit patients early in the disease process to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis. We are delighted with the Novartis Agreement as this allows Cyon to access an antibody against PCSK9 which has been developed up to Phase I/II, advancing our program by a few years as we look to address this significant unmet medical need.”
Cyon has advanced to date through collaborative support and competitive grants received from CDRD (Centre for Drug Research and Development), Genome BC and the NRC (National Research Council of Canada), including the Industrial Research Assistance Program. Having successfully concluded this Agreement with Novartis, Cyon is now initiating a private VC round and expects to initiate the Phase II in 1H 2017.
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
