In addition to MedImmune's vast internal discovery capabilities, t he MedImmune business development team leads the sourcing, evaluation, and execution of external opportunities for biologic targets and technologies on a global basis. We seek to combine MedImmune's biologic expertise with the global capabilities of the AstraZeneca organization to be a unique "partner of choice" to our potential partners.
MedImmune's areas of partnering interest mirror those of AstraZeneca in terms of therapeutic areas and diseases. We are focused on biologic opportunities across the areas of Oncology, Infectious Disease (including vaccines), Respiratory & Inflammation, Cardiovascular/GI, and Neurosciences.
In addition, we constantly seek to enhance our biologics capabilities through partnerships in the technology space, including but not limited to (i) antibody generation/optimization, (ii) next-generation antibody-like molecules, (iii) next-generation vaccine technologies, and (iv) antibody formulation, delivery, and manufacturing technologies.
Current Partnering Priorities:
- Late stage (phase 2 and above) biologic product candidates aligned with our therapeutic areas of interest
- Partnerships around early stage targets, product candidates, and technologies to further strengthen our biologics pipeline
- Out-licensing opportunities around our antibody half-life engineering technology, phage display antibody technology, and reverse genetics engineering technology for vaccines
- Capacity sharing opportunities around our world-class biologics manufacturing facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and the Netherlands
A select list of our key partners and collaborators include:
Abbott: In 1993, Cambridge Antibody Technologies (now a part of MedImmune) and BASF Pharma (now part of Abbott Laboratories) entered into a broad research collaboration to identify and develop human monoclonal antibody therapeutics, including antibodies against TNF-alpha. MedImmune, in collaboration with Abbott, isolated and optimized antibodies against these targets (two of which became HUMIRA ® [adalimumab] and ABT-874, respectively) with Abbott having responsibility for their development and marketing. HUMIRA ® is now available in many countries.
BioWa, Inc: MedImmune and Biowa entered into a license and collaboration agreement in 2006 to develop and commercialize new inflammatory disease therapies targeting the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor. MedImmune is currently focused on developing MEDI-563, a monoclonal antibody currently in Phase 2 clinical studies in patients with asthma.
MedImmune and Biowa have also entered into technology license agreements related to Biowa's POTELLIGENT ® technology platform to enhance the activity of various antibody candidates within MedImmune's pipeline.
Catalyst Biosciences: MedImmune entered into a license agreement with Catalyst Biosciences in July 2009 to develop novel engineered proteases that specifically degrade or modulate two targets of interest for MedImmune.
Human Genome Sciences (HGSI): MedImmune collaborated with HGSI on identification of antibodies against target proteins proprietary to HGSI, the first of which was the protein BLyS (or B-lymphocyte stimulator) that subsequently led to the isolation and optimization of the antibody known as BENLYSTA® (belimumab) . MedImmune and HGSI have also collaborated on various other targets resulting in further antibody development candidates currently in HGSI's pipeline.
Medarex, Inc: MedImmune and Medarex (now part of Bristol-Myers Squibb) enteredinto a license and collaboration agreement in 2004 to develop antibodies targeting interferon-alpha and the type I interferon receptor 1 for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases. MedImmune is currently focused on developing MEDI-545 and MEDI-546, two monoclonal antibodies that are in phase 2 and phase 1 studies, respectively, for the treatment of systemic lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
SBI Biotech: MedImmune entered into a license agreement with SBI Biotech in September 2008 to develop and commercialize SBI's anti-ILT7 candidates for the potential treatment of various autoimmune diseases.
Trellis Biosciences : MedImmune entered into a license agreement with Trellis Biosciences in December 2009 to develop and commercialize Trellis' antibodies directed against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).