• The dual acting GLP-1/glucagon peptide
BI 456906 is a part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s pipeline portfolio in
obesity and diabetes
• The Phase 2 trial for BI 456906 is
expected to be initiated in late 2019 and will trigger a EUR 20 million
milestone payment to Zealand Pharma out of total outstanding potential
milestone payments of EUR 365 million and high single to low double
digit royalties on future sales
INGELHEIM, Germany & COPENHAGEN, Denmark-Tuesday 3 September 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190902005308/en/
(BUSINESS WIRE) --
Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma A/S (“Zealand”) (NASDAQ: ZEAL),
have announced that Boehringer Ingelheim plans to initiate Phase 2
development of the GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist BI 456906, which was
in-licensed from Zealand. Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand have a
longstanding partnership, bringing together Zealand’s expertise in the
discovery of innovative peptide-based medicines with Boehringer
Ingelheim’s expertise in the research and development of novel medicines
for cardiometabolic diseases.
The
compound derived from the natural gut hormone oxyntomodulin activates
both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors that are critical to controlling
metabolic functions. The dual agonist BI 456906 has potential as a new,
once-weekly treatment that may offer therapeutically relevant benefits
compared to currently available treatments.1 It is part of
Boehringer Ingelheim’s growing research and development stage portfolio
in the obesity and diabetes disease areas.
The
decision to advance BI 456906 to Phase 2 clinical testing is based on
the safety and tolerability and the favorable weight loss potential in
individuals with a BMI up to 40 kg/m2. The Phase 2 trial will
be a dose-finding, placebo and active comparator clinical proof of
concept trial in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
“We
believe that BI 456906 has great therapeutic potential, and we are
thrilled to see it advance into Phase 2 development,” said Emmanuel
Dulac, President and Chief Executive Officer at Zealand Pharma. “Our
strong partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim unites expertise and
capabilities to achieve a shared vision of helping millions of people
better manage and overcome obesity and type 2 diabetes.”
“We
are excited to see this candidate from our dedicated and productive
long-term collaboration with Zealand Pharma proceed to the next stage of
clinical studies,” explained Clive R. Wood, Ph.D., Senior Corporate
Vice President, Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim. “This brings
us an important step further to bringing BI 456906 to the many patients
that are in need of new treatment options.”
Zealand
has licensed two product candidates to Boehringer Ingelheim, both with
potential for once-weekly administration. Under the terms of the two
agreements, Boehringer Ingelheim funds all research, development and
commercialization activities. For the GLP1/glucagon dual agonist,
Zealand is entitled to receive up to EUR 365 million in outstanding
milestone payments and will receive a milestone payment of EUR 20
million related to initiation of Phase 2. The agreement also carries
high-single digit to low-double digit percentage royalties on global
sales. The other collaboration compound is a long-acting amylin analog
for which Zealand is entitled to receive up to EUR 283 million in
outstanding milestone payments, and mid-single digit to low-double digit
percentage royalties on global sales.
Excessive
weight and obesity are amongst the leading risk factors for heart
disease, ischemic stroke, liver diseases and type 2 diabetes as well as
for a number of cancers. There are insufficient therapeutic options
available, resulting in a high unmet medical need for safe and effective
treatments that achieve significant weight loss. Boehringer Ingelheim’s
track record of excellence in research and development in
cardiometabolic diseases is evidence of its innovation which has
resulted in important breakthroughs in recent years, especially in
thromboembolic diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Please click on the following link for ‘Notes to Editors’ and ‘References’:
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/collaboration-zealand-pharma-advances-phase-iiView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190902005308/en/
Contacts
Media Contacts:
Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Reinhard Malin
Head of Communications Innovation Unit
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Center GmbH
Media + PR
P: +49 6132 77-90815
press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Linda Ruckel
Associate Director, Media and Corporate Reputation
Boehringer Ingelheim U.S.
Media + PR
P: + 203-791-6672
linda.ruckel@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Zealand Pharma A/S
Emmanuel Dulac
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel.: +45 50 60 36 36
Lani Pollworth Morvan
Investor Relations and Communication
Tel.: +45 50 60 37 78
lpm@zealandpharma.com
