Biotica has granted Wyeth worldwide rights to its most advanced drug candidates, a portfolio of additional rapamycin analogs, and the technology to discover new compounds. The companies will collaborate on a multi-product discovery program from which compounds will be selected for development and commercialization by Wyeth.
Potential payments to Biotica could total up to $195 from an initial payment, research support and royalties.
This alliance is based on Biotica's biosynthetic engineering technology that can be used to create compounds that are not readily accessible through conventional synthetic chemistry.
Wyeth has experience with rapamycin and its analogs both with its currently marketed immunosuppressant, Rapamune and with CCI-779 which is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of cancer.
“Wyeth sees this collaboration as an excellent strategic fit with our rapamycin franchise,” says Dr Frank Walsh, executive vice president, head of discovery research at Wyeth.