Pharmaceutical Business review

Angiochem, GSK to discover therapies for lysosomal storage diseases

Under the partnership deal, Angiochem will develop new compounds (EPiC-enzymes) intended to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and restore enzyme function in the central nervous system (CNS).

The alliance will integrate Angiochem’s expertise in creating novel therapeutics that cross BBB with the scientific, development and commercialization capability of GSK in rare diseases.

Angiochem will develop an enzyme replacement therapy for a specified lysosomal storage disease, while GSK will have the right to develop and commercialize the resulting drug candidate.

As per the agreement, Angiochem is eligible to receive in excess of $300m, including up to $31.5m in upfront cash, research funding.
In addition, Angiochem will receive royalties on future sales of EPiC-enzymes that arise from the collaboration.

Angiochem president and CEO Jean-Paul Castaigne said the collaboration will further validate the wide-ranging potential of the drug across multiple therapeutic areas and provide Angiochem with additional resources to advance its pipeline including other EPiC-enzymes.