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news.Cipher Pharmaceuticals has acquired the assets of US-based life sciences firm Melanovus Oncology, which include seven pre-clinical compounds designed to treat melanoma and other cancers.
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Established in 2012, Melanovus obtained an exclusive global license from the Penn State Research Foundation to a library of compounds and related intellectual property.
These compounds originate from work done by Dr Gavin Robertson, professor of pharmacology, pathology, dermatology and surgery at Penn State University, and director of the Penn State Hershey Melanoma Center.
Cipher president and chief executive officer Shawn O’Brien said: "Melanoma is the deadliest of the skin cancers and incidence rates have been rising for more than 30 years. We look forward to continuing the work of Dr Robertson and his team, who have invested more than 12 years in the development of these promising compounds."
Melanovus’ lead product candidate Nanolipolee-007 is a liposomal formulation of a plant-derived compound that is a cholesterol-transport inhibitor which has showed anti-proliferative activity against certain melanoma cell lines in vitro as well as in early in vivo mouse studies.
Cipher will pursue pre-clinical trials leading to Investigational new drug status with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and other health authorities.
The plan to develop the remaining compounds in the portfolio has not yet been established.
The deal includes an upfront payment to Melanovus of $500,000, as well as the payment of certain IP expenses related to patent prosecution and maintenance.