SHANGHAI, January 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Everest drugs(HKEX 1952.HK, “Everest”, or the “Company”), and that of Singapore Experimental Drug Development Center (“EDDC”) today announced a worldwide licensing agreement under which Everest will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the 3C (“3CL”) series of viral protease inhibitors. ) from EDDC as potentially best-in-class COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments. EDDC is that of Singapore national platform for drug discovery and development and is hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (“A*STAR”).
Under the terms of the agreement, Everest will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to EDDC’s 3CL series of protease inhibitors which have demonstrated potent in vitro activity against SAR-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 ) and its variants, as well as other coronaviruses such as MERS. Everest has full rights to further sublicense the drug and will receive full technology transfer.
The lead compound is EDDC-2214, a novel and potent SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitor, which Everest will develop as an oral antiviral therapy against COVID-19. The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 is the 3CL protease. Compared to several other oral antivirals against COVID-19, EDDC-2214 exhibits better in vitro potency and preclinical oral bioavailability. Clinical trials evaluating EDDC-2214 are expected to begin later this year.
“EDDC-2214 and potential future 3CL protease inhibitors are impactful new assets that complement our existing COVID-19 vaccine program,” said Kerry Blanchard, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Everest Medicines. “We want to offer a COVID-19 package that includes both preventative vaccines and conveniently administered infection treatments. This is a prime example of the innovative risk-sharing relationship that Everest brings to the world. We intend to bring the drug candidate quickly and efficiently through clinical trials, in order to provide this new oral antiviral treatment to patients during this period of limited treatment options.”
EDDC aims to develop therapies and diagnostics that save and improve the lives of patients in Singapore, Asia and around the world. EDDC has already been engaged in several public-private efforts to develop COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics, including a program led by other public sector agencies to develop neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19. The Center has demonstrated its strong ability to collaborate with international partners and its proven competence in moving therapies and vaccines from research to clinical trials. In response to the global outbreak of the influenza A H1N1 (“H1N1”) virus, EDDC (through its former units, ETC and D3) worked with public and private partners to successfully develop that of Singapore first H1N1 influenza vaccine with favorable immunogenicity. In addition, EDDC has used its expertise to integrate early-stage findings into clinical development to support the development of a monoclonal antibody against dengue virus, named VIS513, in collaboration with a US biotechnology company Visterra Inc. Subsequently, the Visterra pipeline, including VIS513, was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical for $430 million.
“This agreement with Everest positions us to exploit the full potential of EDDC-2214 with the ability to provide it to patients around the world,” said Prof. Damian O’Connell, MD, PhD, President and CEO of EDDC. “Our team believes in Everest’s determination and ability to advance potentially best-in-class COVID-19 and pan-coronavirus therapies, and we are excited to partner with Everest to make our shared vision a reality. .”
Under the terms of the transaction, EDDC will receive an upfront payment and downstream clinical and commercial milestone payments, as well as typical royalties on net product sales.
Everest is committed to ensuring that any treatment developed for COVID-19 will be accessible and affordable worldwide.
About drugs Everest
Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products that address the critical unmet medical needs of patients in Asian markets. Everest Medicines’ management team has deep expertise and extensive experience in high quality clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development and operations in both China and with leading global pharmaceutical companies. Everest Medicines has built a portfolio of ten potentially first-in-class or best-in-class molecules, many of which are in late-stage clinical development. The Company’s therapeutic areas of interest include oncology, autoimmune diseases, cardio-renal diseases and infectious diseases. For more information, please visit their website at www.everestmedicines.com.
About the Investigational Drug Development Center (EDDC)
The Investigational Drug Development Center (EDDC) is that of Singapore national platform for drug discovery and development, resulting from the integration of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics (ETC), Medicine, Discovery and Development (D3) and the Center for Experimental Biotherapy (EBC) in 2019. EDDC aims to develop therapies and diagnostics that save and improve the lives of patients in Singapore, Asia and around the world. EDDC works collaboratively with public sector and industry partners to translate the big science emerging from that of Singapore R&D in biomedical and clinical sciences in innovative health solutions.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is that of Singapore leading public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in the public and private sectors for the benefit of the economy and society. As a science and technology organization, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and improves lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in developing scientific talent and leaders for the research community and industry at large. A*STAR’s R&D activities extend from biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities mainly located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For current news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
SOURCE Everest Medicines
