Novo Nordisk, Innate NK deal
Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Innate (Marseille, France) expanded a 2003 deal and will now use the French company's IP covering modulation of natural killer (NK) cells to discover and develop therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune and infectious indications. The original deal granted NVO exclusive rights to develop and market compounds against a family of NK receptors to treat cancer (see BioCentury Extra, Tuesday Dec. 9, 2003). The companies will jointly pursue R&D and preclinical development. NVO is responsible for clinical development and will have exclusive rights to market compounds except in undisclosed niche indications, for which Innate retains rights. The companies hope to bring one compound into the clinic and at least two into preclinical development within three years. ...