The extension of the agreement governs the joint research efforts by US biopharmaceutical company Trimeris and Roche on next generation fusion inhibitor (NGFI) peptides, first signed by the parties in 2000. Costs for the NGFI program will continue to be split equally by Trimeris and Roche, as will any profits from the worldwide sale of products.
Fusion inhibition is based on blocking viral entry into host cells. Trimeris is developing Fuzeon and future generations of peptide fusion inhibitors in collaboration with Roche. The work has focused on two distinct peptide classes, exemplified by TRI-999 and TRI-1144 as NGFI candidates. Based on recently completed preclinical studies, TRI-1144 met the criteria further development.
Chief scientific officer and vice chairman of Trimeris, Dr Dani Bolognesi, said: “The collaboration will continue focusing its efforts on conducting further studies with TRI-1144, including the development of extended release formulations for this promising compound in order to meet our desired product profile.”