Swedish Cantargia and Panorama Research Inc, a California based specialist antibody developer, have entered into a collaboration agreement to jointly accelerate Cantargia’s second program directed towards autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Cantargia’s antibodies, against the molecular target IL1RAP, will be affinity matured and humanized using Panorama’s technology. In addition, Panorama will generate cell lines optimized for high level GMP production. Cantargia will be responsible for subsequent down-stream development.
Under the terms of the agreement, Panorama will share risk in the project in exchange for a fraction of future incomes from third parties or future sales.
Cantargia has recently initiated a second project, CANxx, The purpose is to develop a therapeutic candidate blocking the activity of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-33 or IL-36, through the molecular target IL1RAP. Cantargia will provide prototype antibodies, which will be further optimized to obtain desired properties. Panorama has significant and well-documented experience to optimize and humanize monoclonal antibodies and will invest in the project by contributing their knowledge and labour in exchange for a fraction of future revenue. In addition, Panorama will also develop a cell line for GMP production of the first product candidate identified. Cantargia will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development as well as for GMP production. Panorama’s fraction of the project is defined in the contract and is proportional to the contribution along the project life span. Thereby Panorama is entitled to a single digit fraction of payments from potential future partners. Panorama’s percentage will decrease as the project passes predefined development milestones.
“This partnership is of major importance for Cantargia, it means that our lead project CAN04 for cancer treatment as well as our second project CANxx, both are financed according to plan”, Göran Forsberg, CEO of Cantargia, said. “The recognition from renowned Panorama demonstrates the interest from the international community in our assets. We look forward to continue the development of CANxx and foresee synergies between our organizations.”
“There is a clear potential to use antibodies against the molecular target IL1RAP to treat a large number of serious diseases”, said James W Larrick, CEO and founder of Panorama, “We are excited to be both a development partner and investor in this important program”.
