If the collaboration is successful it could lead to treatments that reduce the frequency of injections required to treat blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia A.
Lipoxen will apply its PolyXen technology toward the development of modified proteins with extended biological activity, in exchange for research funding and the potential for milestone payments and royalties from Baxter.
The agreement with Nektar is focused on the development of a PEGylated form of Baxter’s Advate (antihemophilic factor (recombinant), plasma/albumin-free method), through the application of Nektar’s advanced PEGylation technology.
PEGylation technology has already been successfully applied to seven marketed products in the US and Europe.
“This collaboration with Nektar, the clear leader in PEGylation technology, highlights Baxter’s ongoing commitment to innovation in hemophilia management and to improving the lives of individuals with hemophilia,” said Joy Amundson, president, Baxter’s BioScience business.
Nektar will receive milestone and manufacturing payments for the PEG component, as well as royalties on product sales. Baxter will manage clinical development, product manufacturing and market any products derived from the agreement.