BioCentury
ARTICLE | Translation in Brief

Three times a charm

Momenta and CSL are betting on an Fc trimer for autoimmunity

January 27, 2017 1:58 AM UTC

With this month’s deal between Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:MNTA) and CSL Ltd. (ASX:CSL), the partners are hoping to take IVIG therapy for autoimmune diseases to the next level by homing in on the cornerstone of how the therapy works - Fcγ receptor (FCGR) inhibition. The goal is to define the optimal number and composition of Fc domains required to recapitulate the breadth of IVIG activity, but produce greater potency.

The deal includes Momenta’s lead candidate M230, a trimer of Fc proteins that sequesters all members of the FCGR family and prevents their activation by self-injurious autoantibodies. CSL gets worldwide rights to M230 and follow-on compounds, and Momenta gets $50 million upfront with milestones of up to $550 million. Momenta is also eligible for mid-single to low-double digit royalties on M230; milestones and royalties for other candidates will be negotiated later. ...