Dezima signs licensing deal with Mitsubishi Tanabe for DEZ-001

The agreement allows Dezima to in-license CETP inhibitor from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma and supports the advancement of DEZ-001 into Phase 3 trials.

Professor John Kastelein, founder of Dezima, co-founder of UniQure and advisor to Forbion Capital Partners, identified DEZ-001 as a potentially best-in-class, potent and safe CETP inhibitor.

Dezima CSO and SAB chairman Professor Kastelein said lipid levels of dyslipidemic patients can be normalized by CETP inhibitors.

"This product was a compelling in-licensing prospect because of its promising early clinical efficacy and safety profile," Kastelein added.

"By applying a smart development program, DEZ-001 could potentially enter the market at a time similar to competing CETP inhibitors."

DEZ-001 established significant efficacy on high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels in single and multiple ascending dose studies conducted in healthy volunteers.

The CETP inhibitor also established an approving side-effect profile.

Further terms of the agreement were not revealed.