Berlin: Jerini seals research deal with Baxter

Research agreement

Berlin-based Jerini AG has signed a research collaboration agreement with Baxter AG, a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc, to develop a synthetic molecule for use in affinity purification of a therapeutic protein. Under the terms of the agreement, Jerini will use its Peptides-to-Drugs (P2D) technology platform to identify and develop a specific binding molecule for protein purification, which potentially offers key advantages over conventional antibody-assisted protein purification.

“We are very pleased to announce our fourth collaboration agreement with Baxter.  Jerini’s proprietary P2D technology platform offers a unique and highly effective approach in the development of novel peptidomimetics or small molecules with applications in protein purification as well as drug development,” said Jens Schneider-Mergener, Chief Executive Officer at Jerini.

Under the terms of the agreement, Jerini will receive an upfront payment and research funding, along with potential milestone payments for the achievement of discovery, preclinical, and clinical goals and royalties on sales.

The deal comes as Jerini awaits the outcome of the European Medicines Evaluation Agency and the US FDA’s deliberations on Firazyr (Icatibant), the company’s lead product for the treatment of hereditary angioedema. Both regulators are due to give their verdicts in the first half of this year.