Pharmacopeia licenses novel therapeutic candidates from Bristol-Myers Squibb

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., April 3 - Pharmacopeia announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. giving Pharmacopeia rights to certain lead and backup DARA development candidates under the Bristol-Myers Squibb patents.

Under the agreement, Pharmacopeia will have worldwide development and commercialization rights to compounds discovered by Bristol-Myers that possess dual angiotensin and endothelin receptor antagonist (DARA) activity.

Pharmacopeia will provide Bristol-Myers with a set of compound libraries and pay Bristol-Myers milestone payments and royalties on sales of any products resulting from the program, according to a company news release.

"This is an opportunity to pursue an exciting class of compounds resulting from a program focused on creating a single molecule that combines the activity of two clinically validated therapeutic classes, both of which have been demonstrated to be efficacious in cardiovascular disease," Pharmacopeia executive vice president and chief scientific officer David Floyd said in a company news release.

"As such, the DARA compounds are first-in-class and have the potential to advance clinical practice."

Officials said the DARA compounds have the potential to achieve Investigational New Drug status within a year, due to their modes of dual action and indication of efficacy early in clinical trials.

Pharmacopeia said it plans to start preclinical development studies immediately.

Located in Princeton, N.J., Pharmacopeia focuses on novel therapeutics to address significant medical needs using proprietary technologies and processes.

New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb discovers, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical and health care products.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.