Boehringer Ingelheim Licenses Novel RSV Fusion Protein Compounds To Medivir
By Cyndi Root
Medivir announced in a press release that Boehringer Ingelheim has licensed its Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) fusion protein program to the company. The agreement allows Medivir to research, develop, manufacture, and market the resulting products worldwide. Boehringer Ingelheim’s RSV product line is intended to prevent and treat RSV infection.
Maris Hartmanis, Medivir CEO, said, “RSV is respiratory pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections, especially in children, the elderly and the immunocompromised. It is a major, underserved disease area today, with no effective treatment available.”
Medivir and Boehringer Ingelheim Agreement
Under the terms of the agreement, Medivir receives worldwide rights to develop and commercialize RSV drugs that result from the partnership. Medivir agrees to make Boehringer Ingelheim an upfront payment for the rights. Additionally, Boehringer Ingelheim is due milestone payments and royalties.
RSV Fusion Protein Program
Boehringer Ingelheim’s RSV fusion protein consists of novel compounds in development. These potential drugs inhibit the RSV fusion protein, which mediates viral entry into host cells. Boehringer Ingelheim has already conducted a body of research on the program, which Medivir will advance and build upon.
About Medivir
Medivir, spun-off from AstraZeneca's antiviral research unit in 1988, focuses on infectious diseases, bone related disorders, neuropathic pain, and oncology. Medivir’s Maris Hartmanis said of the new agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim, “The in-licensing of this program illustrates Medivir’s strategic intent to enhance its R&D pipeline with high-value, commercial opportunities.”
The company markets Olysio (simeprevir), a hepatitis C drug, in Nordic countries and receives royalties from Johnson & Johnson for global sales of Olysio. Earlier in July, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigned a Priority Review designation to Medivir's supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for once-daily Olysio in combination with sofosbuvir for 12 weeks of treatment in adult patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C.
In July, Medivir also published the results of a Phase II study on simeprevir in combination with sofosbuvir in the Lancet, showing that genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus adult patients achieved a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment.
About RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that causes respiratory tract infection in the young, old, and those with compromised immune systems. Ribavirin is the only approved drug to treat RSV, however the price is high, it has limited efficacy, and it causes toxic side effects. A humanized monoclonal antibody is approved for RSV infection as a preventative only for infants at high risk.