Lilly Partnering with Canadian Pharma Company

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has inked a research and collaboration agreement with Entos Pharmaceuticals in Canada. Lilly says the deal will support the development of therapies for multiple neurologic conditions.

As part of the deal, Lilly has acquired exclusive rights to Entos’ nucleic acid delivery technology Fusogenix to research, develop and commercialize products that would target the central and peripheral nervous system.

“Nucleic acid-based therapies hold great promise in addressing the biologic cause of many serious diseases that have significant unmet medical need,” said Andrew Adams, vice president of Lilly Genetic Medicine. “Overcoming barriers to the safe and effective delivery of such therapies to specific target cells is essential to realizing their potential. We look forward to working with Entos as part of our efforts to overcome this challenge and develop potential new therapies that may improve patient outcomes.”

Entos will receive an initial $50 million payment through the deal, which includes an equity investment in Entos by Lilly. For each program under the agreement, Entos could also receive up to $400 million in potential milestone payments, as well as royalties, for the successful development and commercialization of products.