Glenmark, Dyax sign research pact

MUMBAI: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has entered into a collaborative research agreement with US biopharmaceutical company Dyax for the development of three therapeutic antibodies — proteins used by the immune system to neutralise bacteria and viruses.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dyax will conduct research on the three lead molecules. It will, in return receive technology licence fees and full time employee payments from Glenmark, as well as milestone payments upon the occurrence of specified clinical events. Glenmark did not share any details on potential payments.

“Dyax’s large antibodies’ library and strong intellectual property, will help us speed up the development of these three antibodies, targeted at oncology and inflammatory diseases,” said Glenn Saldanha, managing director, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. Going forward, the research activity may be expanded to include additional research molecules.

“This is an important step in Glenmark’s entry in the field of novel biologics research. Our strategy to supplement new chemical entity research with biologics research will allow us to build a strong pipeline in oncology and inflammation.

We expect the first biologic product from Glenmark to enter clinics in 2009,” said Mr Saldanha. In the case these antibodies make it to the market, Dyax will also be entitled to receive royalties on sales.

“We could tie-up with a third party like a pharma MNC to market these drugs,” said Mr Saldanha. Glenmark Pharma recently licensed out GRC 8200, an oral DPP-IV inhibitor, currently in Phase II clinical trials in South Africa and India, to Merck KGaA.

The German pharma major will develop, register and commercialise it for markets in North America, Europe and Japan, while Glenmark will retain commercialisation rights for India. The domestic pharma company could potentially receive up to e190 million in upfront and milestone payments.