Alembic Swiss unit Rhizen Pharma inks out-licensing deal with Novartis

The Switzerland-based Rhizen Pharmaceuticals, an associate company of Alembic Pharmaceuticals, has entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Novartis for the development and commercialisation of Rhizen’s inhaled dual PI3K-delta gamma inhibitor and its closely related compounds for various indications.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, Rhizen will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive development, regulatory and sales milestones payments. In addition Rhizen is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on annual nets sales.
 
The lead compound is a novel, potent, and selective dual PI3K-delta gamma inhibitor with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory activity in pre-clinical systems and models representative of respiratory diseases. With a favourable ADME and PK profile and high therapeutic index in animals, the inhaled dual PI3K-delta gamma inhibitor holds promise in the treatment of human airway disorders.