Neose, Novo Nordisk, ratiopharm deal

Neose will sell its assets to existing partners Novo and ratiopharm's BioGeneriX AG subsidiary for a total of about $43 million in cash. Novo will acquire IP covering Neose's GlycoPEGylation technology to develop Factors VIIa, VIII and IX for hematology indications for $21 million. The compounds were developed under a 2003 deal to use Neose's pegylation technology to make next-generation versions of the proteins. Last year, Novo started Phase I testing of GlycoPEG-Factor VIIa to treat hemophilia.

BioGeneriX will acquire Neose's GlycoPEG-GCSF. Under a 2005 deal, BioGeneriX had an exclusive, worldwide license to use Neose's GlycoPEGylation technology to develop the pegylated version of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which completed Phase I testing to treat neutropenia in November. Neose said it retained IP rights covering the production of glycolipids (see BioCentury, Nov. 24, 2003, & May 22, 2005). ...