PureTech Announces Novartis Licensing Agreement

RNS Number : 4049A

PureTech Health PLC

24 March 2017

 

24 March 2017

PureTech Health plc

PureTech Health Announces Licensing and Equity Agreement with Novartis to Advance Clinical Stage mTORC1 Programmes

Programme to initially focus on aging-related disorders

Phase 2b clinical study to commence in 2017

PureTech Health plc (LSE: PRTC), an advanced clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced a licensing and equity agreement with Novartis to advance two clinical-stage programmes targeting the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. PureTech Health will develop these new product candidates in an operating subsidiary, resTORbio, with an initial focus on diseases related to immunosenescence, an age-related decline in immune function. A Phase 2b study with these candidates is planned to commence in 2017.  

"Consistent with our strategy of addressing the impairments of the brain, gut and immune systems, targeting the mTORC1 pathway offers us a compelling opportunity to address conditions impacting these adaptive systems," said Joe Bolen, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer for PureTech Health. "Impairment of adaptive and innate immune system robustness underlies age-associated immunosenescence. Inhibition of the mTORC1 pathway has proven to be effective in re-establishing T-cell composition and function, which in turn can revitalise immune homeostasis."

 
Immunosenescence, the age-dependent decline in immune function, is associated with a decreased ability to fight infections, an increase in cancer incidence and a decline in organ function in the elderly. With a rapidly aging population, there is a significant need to address aging-related diseases and conditions. Inhibition of the mTOR pathway has been shown to extend lifespan in multiple species studied including yeast, worms, flies and mammals, and to potentially ameliorate immunosenescence in aging animals and humans.

The immune-enhancing potential of mTORC1 inhibitors has been explored in a Phase 2 programme at Novartis that included two successful Phase 2a studies in hundreds of elderly patients. Results will be detailed in an upcoming peer-reviewed publication. The results of these studies form the foundation for further clinical development in immunosenescence and other aging-related diseases by targeting the mTOR pathway.

"Drug discovery and development is a team sport and we are excited to enter into this agreement with the seasoned leadership at PureTech Health," said Jay Bradner, M.D., President of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR). "We regard the further development of these compounds by PureTech Health for the potential treatment of conditions such as immunosenescence, as a prime example of our continued commitment to work more openly with innovators beyond our walls to advance projects that have the potential to help patients lead healthier lives."

"mTORC1 inhibitors could lead us to a new paradigm for treating several aging-related conditions," said Chen Schor, a PureTech Senior Executive and the leader of the resTORbio programme. "We have a robust clinical development plan for the first indication and plan to explore the programme across multiple aging-related diseases."

Under the terms of the agreement, PureTech's resTORbio, will have an exclusive license to two clinical stage programmes for aging-related indications. Novartis will receive equity in the resTORbio subsidiary and be eligible for future milestones payments and royalties based on a portion of net sales. PureTech Health has allocated approximately $15 million in several tranches to the development of the programme as it progresses and continues to be de-risked. PureTech Health is expected to own approximately 58% of resTORbio on a diluted basis based on the allocation of $15 million.  PureTech Health's ownership may be increased over time to up to approximately 67% through the allocation of an additional $10 million to the programme.[i]

About mTOR

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein serine/threonine kinase that regulates multiple cell functions, including cell growth and metabolism, via two complexes: TORC1 and TORC2. TORC1 inhibition has been found to have many beneficial effects on aging, while TORC2 inhibition has been associated with adverse events including hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolemia. The mTORC1 inhibitors being developed by PureTech Health potentially result in selective inhibition of mTORC1 and may therefore have therapeutic potential to ameliorate multiple aging-related conditions with a favourable safety profile.

About PureTech Health

PureTech Health (PureTech Health plc, PRTC.L) is a cross-disciplinary advanced clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel medicines that modulate the adaptive human systems. Our therapies target the dysfunctions in the immune, nervous, and gastro-intestinal systems by addressing the underlying pathophysiology of disease from a systems perspective rather than through a single receptor or pathway. We are advancing a rich pipeline that includes multiple human proof-of-concept studies and pivotal or registration studies expected to read out over the next two years. PureTech Health's growing research and development pipeline has been developed in collaboration with some of the world's leading scientific experts, who along with PureTech's experienced team and a stellar board analyse, identify and advance very selectively the opportunities the Company believes hold the most promise for patients. This experienced and engaged team and process place PureTech Health at the forefront of ground-breaking science and technological innovation and leads the Company between and beyond existing disciplines. For more information, visit www.puretechhealth.com or connect with us on Twitter @puretechh.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains statements that are or may be forward-looking statements, including statements that relate to the company's future prospects, developments and strategies. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties described in the risk factors included in the regulatory filings for PureTech Health plc. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding the present and future business strategies of the company and the environment in which it will operate in the future. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as at the date of this press release. Except as required by law and regulatory requirements, neither the company nor any other party intends to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information:

Media/ Investors:

Allison Mead, PureTech Health [phone] [e-mail]

Ben Atwell, FTI Consulting Matthew Cole, FTI Consulting [phone] This announcement contains inside information.

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[i]The ownership determination includes issued and outstanding shares as well as options to purchase shares and written commitments to issue shares or options, but excludes unallocated shares authorised to be issued pursuant to equity incentive plans and any convertible debt.

 

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