Gastrotech Pharma, a biopharmaceutical R&D company with a focus on the medical applications of gastrointestinal hormones, has signed an agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis, USA) to in-license a Lilly compound ( formerly known as LY307161, now named GTP-010), an analogue of the naturally occurring intestinal hormone GLP-1. The licensing agreement is a result of an ongoing research collaboration the two companies have participated in since 2004.
The deal follows recent clinical data from a joint Gastrotech and Lilly proof of concept study to assess pain reduction associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Gastrotech now plans to develop GTP-010 to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Gastrotech will receive a global exclusive licence to develop and market GTP-010 for IBS and Functional Dyspepsia indications. In return, Lilly will receive clinical and regulatory milestone payments, as well as royalties on sales if GTP-010 is successfully commercialized. Lilly will also receive an equity stake in Gastrotech. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Enda Kenny, Gastrotech Pharma CEO, said: “We believe GTP-010 could have enormous potential in treating IBS, for which there is currently no fully effective treatment. The clinical data collected to date has been highly promising, and we hope to develop GTP-010 as a novel therapy for IBS.”
GTP-010 is an analogue of GLP-1, a naturally occurring intestinal hormone that plays an important physiological role in assisting the human body to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels and modulate gastric motility following meals. GTP-010 has a longer half life than the natural hormone, and is maintained in the circulation during the acute phase of an IBS pain attack. Here it modulates contractile activity and delays gastric emptying before it is cleared by natural mechanisms.
In collaboration with Lilly, Gastrotech completed an international multicentre Phase IIa proof of concept clinical study in over 100 IBS patients, led by clinical researchers at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. The study met the primary clinical endpoint finding that GTP-010 was able to reduce pain by greater than 50% of the maximum total possible pain relief. The study also met its secondary clinical endpoints including duration of pain and pain relief response, intensity and global impression of treatment.
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common disorder with approximately 75 million sufferers in the developed world. Between 10-20% of the general population exhibit symptoms characterized by bloating, abnormal motility patterns, visceral hypersensitivity, discomfort and pain which can be severe. Current treatments are symptomatic with antispasmodics and low dose tricyclic antidepressants prescribed for frequent or severe pain. The treatment of pain is a significant unmet need in IBS.
About Gastrotech Pharma
Gastrotech Pharma A/S (www.gastrotechpharma.com) is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel treatments for IBS and anorexia/cachexia associated with cancer and other major pathologies.
Further Information:
Please contact:
Enda Kenny, Ph,D
CEO, Gastrotech Pharma A/S
ek@gastrotechpharma.com
Telephone +45 39179745
Mobile +45 60659639
Adam Michael, Tony Stephenson
College Hill
gastrotech@collegehill.com
Telephone +44 (0)20 7457 2020
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