BioCryst is constantly seeking to expand and improve its therapeutic development pipeline. It utilizes strategic partnerships early in the drug identification process through in-licensing of drug targets. BioCryst has also established collaborative relationships for the development and commercialization of product candidates to expand its geographic reach beyond the United States.
BioCryst offers potential partners the opportunity to leverage its expertise in structure-guided drug design, which incorporates multiple scientific disciplines including biology, crystallography, medicinal chemistry and computer modeling, in order to most efficiently develop new therapeutic candidates.
If you are interested in contacting BioCryst regarding partnering opportunities, please email the Business Development team at businessdevelopment@BioCryst.com.
Corporate Partnerships
Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
In March 2007, BioCryst entered into an exclusive license agreement to develop and commercialize peramivir in Japan and Taiwan for the treatment of seasonal and potentially life-threatening human influenza. Under the terms of the agreement, Shionogi obtained rights to injectable formulations of peramivir in Japan, where it is now marketed under the commercial name RAPIACTA® for the treatment of adults, children and infants with influenza. BioCryst may receive future commercial event milestone payments of up to $95 million, in addition to double digit (between 10 and 20% range) royalty payments on product sales of peramivir.
Green Cross Corporation
In June 2006, BioCryst and Green Cross Corp. entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize peramivir in Korea. Green Cross Corp. announced in August 2010 that it had received marketing and manufacturing authorization for i.v. peramivir in Korea to treat patients with influenza A & B viruses, including pandemic H1N1 and avian influenza. Green Cross Corp. intends to launch peramivir under the commercial name PeramiFlu® in Korea. Under the terms of the agreement, BioCryst will receive royalties on the sale of peramivir in Korea, including the sale of peramivir to the Korean government for stockpiling purposes. Furthermore, Green Cross Corp. will pay BioCryst a premium over its cost to supply peramivir for development and any future marketing of peramivir products in Korea.
BioCryst has retained all of its development and commercialization rights to peramivir worldwide except in Japan, Taiwan, Israel and Korea.
Mundipharma
In November 2011, BioCryst and Mundipharma amended their 2006 licensing agreement to grant Mundipharma exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize forodesine in the field of oncology. Under the terms of the agreement, BioCryst may receive future event payments totaling $15.0 million for achieving specified regulatory events for certain indications. In addition, BioCryst will receive tiered royalties ranging from mid to high single-digit percentages of net product sales in each country where forodesine is sold by Mundipharma.
Peramivir Stockpiling Partnerships
Merck Serono for Europe, Russia, Canada and Singapore
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Merck Serono is the division for innovative prescription pharmaceuticals of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a global pharmaceutical and chemical company.
Neopharm Group for Israel
The Neopharm Group is a leading provider of innovative integrated solutions across the health care spectrum. Throughout the years the Group has evolved into a diversified health care company. Building leadership and combining strengths in the areas of branded pharmaceuticals and biological products, vaccines (including H1N1 vaccine), hospital products, orphan drugs, medical devices and diagnostics has enabled the Neopharm Group to become the 2nd largest provider in the Israeli healthcare market.
Academic Partnerships
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
BioCryst and The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have had a close relationship since BioCryst originated. Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Charles E. Bugg, was the previous Director of the UAB Center for Macromolecular Crystallography, and former Chief Operating Officer, Dr. J. Claude Bennett, was the previously President of UAB, the former Chairman of the Department of Medicine at UAB and a former Chairman of the Department of Microbiology at UAB. Several of BioCryst's early programs originated at UAB.
Currently, BioCryst has agreements with UAB for influenza neuraminidase and complement inhibitors. Under the terms of these agreements, UAB performed specific research in return for research payments and license fees. UAB has granted certain rights to any discoveries in these areas resulting from research developed by UAB or jointly developed with the Company. BioCryst has agreed to pay single digit royalties on sales of any resulting product and to share in future payments received from other third-party partners.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Industrial Research, Ltd., New Zealand
In June 2000, BioCryst licensed a series of potent inhibitors of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Industrial Research, Ltd., New Zealand. The lead drug candidates from this collaboration are forodesine and BCX4208. The Company obtained worldwide exclusive rights to develop and ultimately distribute these compounds or any other drug candidates that might arise from research on these inhibitors, and agreed to pay certain milestone payments for future development of these inhibitors, certain royalties on sales of any resulting product and to share in future payments received from other third-party partners, if any.