US-based clinical-stage biotech Mediar Therapeutics, Inc. has announced a global license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) to advance its investigational drug MTX-463 into a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This strategic partnership aims to further develop and potentially bring to market a novel therapy for this debilitating disease.
MTX-463: A Promising Therapeutic Candidate
MTX-463 is a human IgG1 antibody designed to neutralize WISP1-mediated fibrotic signaling, which plays a crucial role in several debilitating diseases, including IPF. The drug has demonstrated good tolerability at all tested doses in a Phase I study conducted in healthy subjects, paving the way for its advancement to a Phase II study. Mediar Therapeutics is scheduled to conduct the Phase II study during the first half of this year, with the goal of evaluating the drug’s efficacy and safety in patients with IPF.
Eli Lilly’s Role in Development and Commercialization
Under the terms of the agreement, Eli Lilly has secured the rights to lead all further clinical development and commercialization of the MTX-463 program. This positions Eli Lilly to leverage its extensive experience and resources in drug development and commercialization to potentially bring this innovative treatment to patients in need, while Mediar continues to play a key role in the early-stage clinical development of the drug.-Fineline Info & Tech
