Lilly and Entos Pharmaceuticals Partner in Research Collaboration to Develop Therapies for Multiple Neurologic Indications

Eli Lilly and Company has entered into a research and collaboration agreement with Entos Pharmaceuticals under which Lilly acquired exclusive rights to Entos’ proprietary Fusogenix nucleic acid delivery technology. The technology will be used to research, develop, and commercialize nucleic acid products targeting the central and peripheral nervous system. Through this technology, Lilly will have access to a novel delivery platform with the potential to solve a key delivery challenge for many nucleic acid therapeutic modalities, according to a Jan. 6, 2022 press release.

Under the agreement, Lilly and Entos have agreed to multiple programs focused on the development of proteo-lipid vehicles (PLV) that deliver therapeutic cargo supplied by Lilly to targets in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Entos will be responsible for the generation, development, and optimization of PLVs using its Fusogenix platform technology, while Lilly will be responsible for selecting PLVs for clinical development and commercialization.

Entos will receive an initial payment of $50 million, including an equity investment by Lilly in Entos. For each program under the collaboration, Entos is also eligible to receive up to $400 million in potential developmental and commercial milestone payments as well as royalties based on the successful development and commercialization of products.

“Nucleic acid-based therapies hold great promise in addressing the biologic cause of many serious diseases that have significant unmet medical need,” said Andrew Adams, vice-president, Lilly Genetic Medicine, in the company press release. “Overcoming barriers to the safe and effective delivery of such therapies to specific target cells is essential to realizing their potential. We look forward to working with Entos as part of our efforts to overcome this challenge and develop potential new therapies that may improve patient outcomes.”

"We are excited for the opportunity to play a part in Lilly’s ongoing quest to develop high-quality medicines and believe our collaboration with Lilly is an important validation of the potential value of our expertise and technology platform,” said John Lewis, founder and CEO of Entos, in the press release.

Source: Entos Pharmaceuticals