Anabasis, Scil Proteins enter license deal for rhNGF to treat eye diseases

Scil Proteins, a private biopharmaceutical company specialized in the research, development and production of recombinant proteins, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Anabasis Pharma.

Under the terms of this agreement Scil Proteins will license the microbial based manufacturing process for recombinant human Nerve Growth Factor (rhNGF) to Anabasis. Scil Proteins is responsible for the development of the production process, the respective technology transfer and holds an option for later GMP manufacturing at its facilities. Anabasis together with its parent company Dompé Group will develop rhNGF for use in eye diseases including neurotrophic keratitis, dry eye and glaucoma. Scil Proteins will be eligible for milestone payments during development, together with license fees and royalties on sales.

Dr. Ulrike Fiedler, CEO of Scil Proteins, commented:
"We've found precisely the right partners in Anabasis Pharma and Dompé Group for licensing this process. The deal underlines our strong expertise and proprietary position in microbial protein production for innovative therapeutic applications."

Dr. Francesco Sinigaglia, CEO of Anabasis Pharma, commented:
"It is excellent that we have been able to find a cost efficient and patent protected microbial process for the manufacture of rhNGF. Scil Proteins has a convincing track record of process development and GMP manufacturing expertise in this area. This agreement will foster faster development of Anabasis/Dompé's research pipeline."

Dr. Eugenio Aringhieri, CEO of Dompé Group added:
"This is an opportunity for us as it supports the objective of the Group to broaden our pipeline in the area of orphan drugs. Dompé Group's strategy promotes networking and partnerships in order to gather the best international skills and ensure in each area of activities high level of competences. Along with Scil Proteins and Anabasis, the NGF project benefits from companies' combined expertise in research and development, allowing us to speed up processes and ensure efficiency."

Source: Scil Proteins