CombinatoRx and CFFT collaborate on cystic fibrosis treatment

Under the terms of the agreement CFFT, the nonprofit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, will award CombinatoRx up to $13.8 million in research expenses.

CFFT will also fund up to 75% of clinical development expenses through phase IIa on the first potential product candidate, provided both parties agree to commence clinical development.

In addition, CombinatoRx will retain full worldwide commercialization rights, receive payments upon successful completion of certain clinical and regulatory milestones, and own new intellectual property generated during the collaboration. CFFT will be eligible to receive royalties from CombinatoRx on net sales of any approved products.

“This collaboration with CFFT is another example of our strategy to mobilize into a new therapeutic area while maintaining worldwide commercialization rights and minimizing financial risk to CombinatoRx,” commented Alexis Borisy, president and CEO of CombinatoRx.

“There is a strong need for effective new treatment options for people with cystic fibrosis and we are honored to leverage the significant expertise of CFFT in this endeavor.”

“If we find the right combination of molecules that work synergistically, we should be able to move quickly into the clinic with these combinations of already approved drugs. And for people with CF, time is of the essence,” added Dr Robert Beall, president of CFFT and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 people in the US. A defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulato (CFTR) gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that leads to chronic, life-threatening lung infections and impairs digestion.