BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

ArmaGen licenses AGT-182 to Shire

July 24, 2014 12:58 AM UTC

ArmaGen Technologies Inc. (Calabasas, Calif.) granted Shire plc (LSE:SHP; NASDAQ:SHPG) exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize AGT-182, which is in development to treat mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS-II, Hunter's syndrome). ArmaGen will receive $15 million up front in cash and equity. The company is also eligible for up to $210 million in an additional equity investment, R&D funding and milestones, plus up to double-digit royalties. ArmaGen will conduct a Phase I/II trial of AGT-182, after which Shire will be responsible for further development and commercialization. ArmaGen expects to start the Phase I/II trial by year end.

AGT-182 is in development for both CNS and somatic manifestations of Hunter's syndrome, a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by inadequate activity of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). AGT-182 is an enzyme replacement therapy comprised of IDS formulated with ArmaGen's Trojan horse technology. The technology creates a fusion protein of a therapeutic compound and a molecule that targets surface receptors on endothelial cells to facilitate transport across the blood-brain barrier. ...