Under the terms of the restructure, CSL will now take full control of the program, including development and commercialization of any potential drugs arising from the program. In return, MuriGen will receive certain payments – the details of which are undisclosed.
The collaboration was initially established in February 2006 by MuriGen Therapeutics and Zenyth Therapeutics (now part of CSL) and is developing therapeutic antibodies that inhibit the activity of the cytokine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).
Nick Samaras, MuriGen’s CEO, said: “We are extremely pleased that the further development of the G-CSF inflammatory disease program will be conducted by an Australian biopharmaceutical partner with the expertise and capability that CSL provides.
“This partnership is another major milestone for MuriGen and is further evidence of the high quality portfolio the company has in-licensed from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. MuriGen will continue to focus on its other programs, including the development of a novel class of antiapoptotic compounds.”