BAX 826 is a recombinant Factor VIII treatment for hemophilia A under investigation to assess its potential to extend the half-life and duration of effectiveness.
The amended license deal includes increased contingent milestone payments, up to $100m, as well as increased royalties on sales.
The program complements the company’s existing development programs, which are focused on enhancing the pharmacokinetic profile and extending the half-life of blood coagulation factors, including Factor VIII.
Baxter head of global hemophilia organization Brian Goff said through the Xenetic partnership, the company is seeking to identify and develop a treatment that the majority of hemophilia patients could administer less frequently, potentially at once-weekly intervals, without compromising efficacy.
"We are focusing our efforts on using a range of technologies to introduce new therapies and enhancements to existing therapies, each designed to improve the patient experience as we pursue our vision of a bleed-free world," Goff added.
Earlier in August 2005, Xenetic and Baxter established an exclusive worldwide agreement to develop new forms of polysialylated blood coagulation factors, including Factor VIII, using Xenetic’s proprietary polysialic acid (PSA) technology.
Image: Deficiency in coagulation factor VIII is the cause of haemophilia A. Photo: courtesy of ProteinBoxBot.