Curadev Pharma Private Ltd., a pharmaceutical company based in New Delhi, India, has formed a research collaboration and exclusive license agreement with Roche for the development and commercialization of IDO1 and TDO inhibitors.The agreement covers the development of a lead preclinical immune tolerance inhibitor and a research collaboration with Roche’s research and early-development organization to further explore the IDO and TDO pathways. IDO1 (indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase-1) and TDO (tryptophan-2, 3-dioxygenase) are enzymes that mediate cancer-induced immune suppression. This mechanism is exploited by tumor cells as well as certain type of immune cells, limiting the anti-tumor immune response.

Under the terms of agreement, which includes a research collaboration with Roche’s research and early-development organization to further extend Curadev’s findings, Curadev will receive an upfront payment of $25 million and will be eligible to receive up to $530 million in milestone payments based on achievement of certain predetermined events and sales levels as well as escalating royalties, potentially reaching double digits for the first product from the collaboration developed and commercialized by Roche. Curadev would also be eligible for milestones and royalties on any additional products resulting from the research collaboration. Roche will fund future research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization costs and will also provide additional research funding to Curadev for support of the research collaboration.

Dual inhibition of the IDO1 and TDO pathways offers promise to maintain the immune response, prevent local tumor immune escape, and potentially avoid resistance to other immunotherapies, when used in combination, and could lead to new treatment options for cancer, according to Curadev. Curadev’s preclinical lead-compound, a small-molecule that shows inhibition of the two rate-limiting enzymes in the tryptophan-to-kynurenine metabolic pathways, has the potential as a monotherapy as well as in combination with Roche’s broad oncology pipeline and portfolio.

Headquartered in New Delhi, India, Curadev Pharma Private Limited was founded in 2010. Curadev focuses on the creation and out-licensing of pre-IND (investigational new drug) assets and IND packages for drug development.

Source: Curadev Pharma