Bayer and Regeneron collaborate on eye disease treatment
Bayer and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals collaborate on a combination therapy to treat eye diseases
The companies will jointly develop a combination therapy of the angiopoietin2 (Ang2) antibody nesvacumab and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap aflibercept, for the treatment of serious eye diseases.
George Yancopoulos, chief scientific officer of Regeneron, said: "Our collaboration with Bayer has been extremely successful to date, as we work together to combat vision loss around the world.
“Vision loss can often have devastating consequences to an individual's quality of life. This new agreement reflects our shared commitment to being leaders in ophthalmology and to improving anatomical and visual outcomes for patients with retinal eye diseases."
Two separate phase two clinical studies are evaluating the companies’ combination therapy as a co-formulated single intravitreal injection in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration or diabetic macular edema.
Discovered by scientists at Regeneron, angiopoietins are a family of vascular growth factors.
Regeneron said that preclinical data demonstrates angiopoietins act together with the VEGF family to promote the formation and maturation of blood and lymphatic vessels in the eye.
Ang2 and VEGF together therefore have the potential to influence the pathological development of new blood vessels and the permeability of blood vessel walls in certain diseases of the eye.
Joerg Moeller, member of the executive committee of Bayer AG's pharmaceuticals division and head of development, said: "Bayer is strongly committed to further expanding its ophthalmology portfolio with innovative therapies for patients suffering from vision impairment.
“Addressing multiple pathways offers potential additional benefit to patients with devastating retinal eye diseases.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Regeneron will receive a $50 million upfront payment and will share global development costs for the program with Bayer.
Bayer will have exclusive commercialisation rights to the combination product outside the United States and will share potential profits equally with Regeneron.
Within the US, Regeneron retains exclusive commercialisation rights and will retain 100% of profits from US sales.
Regeneron is also eligible to receive up to $80 million in potential payments related to development and regulatory milestones.