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ARTICLE | Company News

Ensemble Therapeutics, Novartis deal

August 12, 2013 7:00 AM UTC

Ensemble granted Novartis exclusive, worldwide rights to its lead program of small molecule macrocyclic antagonists of IL-17A identified using Ensemble's Ensemblin technology. The oral compounds are in preclinical testing. Ensemble will work with Novartis on optimization until the pharma selects a lead compound. Additionally, the companies partnered to use Ensemblin to discover macrocyclic compounds against undisclosed targets selected by Novartis. The pharma will have exclusive rights to develop and commercialize any resulting candidates. Ensemble will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and research support. The biotech also is eligible for undisclosed milestones, plus tiered royalties. The financial terms cover both deals.

Novartis is developing a subcutaneous formulation of a mAb targeting IL-17A. The pharma's secukinumab is in Phase III testing for psoriasis, with regulatory applications expected this half, as well as Phase III testing for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. ...