MedImmune and Critical Therapeutics Focus on Inflammatory Diseases

An agreement to jointly develop biologics targeting a novel pro-inflammatory cytokine to treat inflammatory diseases has been signed by MedImmune, Inc. (Gaithersburg, MD, USA) and Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI, Cambridge, MA, USA).

MedImmune and CTI will collaborate on the research and development of antibodies and other drug products targeting the High Mobility Group Box Chromosomal Protein 1 (HMGB-1), believed to be involved in tissue damage associated with a number of inflammatory illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. The companies plan to focus on developing drugs with the potential to block HMGB-1, which if successful could help reduce the injury and death associated with severe inflammation. CTI will receive US$12.5 million in upfront payments from MedImmune plus milestone payments and royalties on sales of resulting products. MedImmune will fund most of the research and develop the production process.

"Elevated levels of HMGB-1 are found in many acute and chronic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhagic shock, sepsis, endotoxemia, and acute lung injuries. We believe that treatment with anti-HMGB-1 antibodies or antagonists may help alleviate or prevent the severe tissue damage that often results from such afflictions,” said James F. Young, Ph.D., president of research and development at MedImmune.




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