#USA #Nanjing #GSK #siRNA #Frontier Biotech

Frontier Biotech and GSK Forge Exclusive Global Licensing Agreement

In a major advancement within the pharmaceutical landscape, Frontier Biotechnologies Inc. has successfully entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), marking a substantial milestone for the company and its innovative therapeutic endeavors involving small interfering RNAs (siRNA). This partnership is poised to enhance the capabilities in developing cutting-edge treatments and signals a significant step forward in Frontier Biotech's global development strategy.

Details of the Agreement

According to the terms of the agreement, GSK has acquired worldwide exclusive rights to the development, manufacturing, and marketing of two promising products derived from Frontier Biotech's pipeline, both centered around siRNA technology. One of these therapeutic candidates is currently in the Investigational New Drug (IND) stage, pending necessary approvals, while the other is still in preclinical development.

This collaboration will initially see Frontier Biotech responsible for advancing these two candidates through the critical phases of clinical trials. Specifically, one product is expected to undergo a Phase I clinical study in China, while the other will focus on completing the necessary IND approval activities. Subsequently, GSK will take on the broad responsibilities associated with global clinical development, regulatory submissions, and marketing initiatives.

Financial Aspects

As part of this landmark deal, Frontier Biotech is set to receive an upfront payment of $40 million, along with a staggering potential of up to $963 million tied to success-based milestones throughout various stages of development and commercialization. Additionally, the agreement includes tiered royalties on worldwide net sales, further incentivizing both parties as they work collaboratively toward bringing these innovative therapies to market.

Insights from Leadership

Dr. Dong Xie, Chairman and CEO of Frontier Biotech, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to finalize our agreement with GSK, a recognized leader in the biopharmaceutical arena. This partnership underscores the growing acknowledgment of our research and development expertise. We believe it will lay a robust foundation for enhancing our global collaboration, accelerate the value conversion of our pipeline, and pave the way for commercialization opportunities."

The potential of siRNA therapies has been recognized significantly within the global pharmaceutical industry in recent years. These therapies overcome three major constraints traditional drug development faces: they facilitate precise gene silencing for previously untreatable targets, offer durable and highly specific efficacy, and provide a versatile platform suitable for a wide array of diseases. Current trends indicate a rapid progression in siRNA drug development from rare diseases to prevalent chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and metabolic disorders, highlighting substantial market potential.

GSK's Perspective

Kaivan Khavandi, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Respiratory, Immunology, and Inflammation RD at GSK, highlighted the strategic significance of this agreement, stating, "This partnership further strengthens our immunology pipeline by introducing two potential first-in-class oligonucleotide therapies that could significantly improve patient outcomes in various renal conditions. These assets align with our strategic focus on platform technologies and inflammation-related diseases, and we are eager to work alongside Frontier Biotech for their continued development."

Conclusion

Frontier Biotech and GSK's collaboration underlines the accelerating shift towards innovative therapies in the pharmaceutical industry, positioning both companies at the forefront of siRNA technology advancements. Given the substantial financial backing and shared expertise, this agreement is expected to make impactful contributions to the treatment landscape for numerous conditions, ultimately benefiting patients globally.

For further information about the companies involved:

• - GSK aims to unite science, technology, and talent to stay a step ahead of diseases. For more details, visit www.gsk.com.
• - Frontier Biotech is a research-based, commercial biotech firm listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, dedicated to developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative medicines, including its first anti-HIV drug, Albuvirtide. The company is also emphasizing siRNA development as a core focus, indicative of its growing pipeline in various therapeutic areas including antivirals, osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, and hyperlipidemia.

For media inquiries, please contact:

• - Di Chen
• - Email: [email protected]
• - Alternative Email: [email protected]