Eli Lilly and Company has formed two separate pacts relating to diabetes. The first is a worldwide licensing collaboration with Adocia, a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in the development of innovative formulations of already-approved therapeutic proteins, to develop an ultra-rapid insulin, known as BioChaperone Lispro, for treatment in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. BioChaperone Lispro relies on Adocia’s proprietary BioChaperone technology and is currently in Phase Ib studies.

Under the agreement, Lilly and Adocia will develop BioChaperone Lispro with the goal of optimizing glucose levels during and after meals. Potential benefits of BioChaperone Lispro include greater flexibility in the timing of insulin injections, lower variability of post-meal blood glucose elevations, lower rates of hypoglycemia, and better overall glucose control.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly is responsible for future development, manufacturing, and commercialization of BioChaperone Lispro. The total up-front and milestone payments could reach up to $570 million; Adocia will receive a total upfront fee of $50 million with the potential for future payments of up to $280 million if the product reaches certain development and regulatory milestones, and sales milestones up to $240 million, as well as tiered sales royalties. Lilly shall also reimburse Adocia for certain research and development expenses during the terms of the agreement. A concentrated formulation of BioChaperone Lispro is also part of the agreement. Adocia retains the right to develop and license its insulin programs unrelated to prandial ultra-rapid insulin.

In a separate pact, Eli Lilly has formed a five-year research partnership with the University of Surrey in the UK to study health outcomes, focusing on the effects of treatment in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Using real-world evidence (routine data gathered from patients undergoing diabetes treatments), Lilly and the University of Surrey will focus on developing answers to commonly asked clinical questions about the continuum of diabetes care, such as the role and timing of injectable therapy, factors impacting adherence to prescribed medicines, and the pattern and rationale of therapy following diagnosis.

Source: Eli Lilly (University of Surrey) and Eli Lilly (Adocia)