SAN
DIEGO, Calif., October 22, 2019 – Qpex Biopharma, Inc., a
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of
innovative anti-infective therapies, today announced that it has entered
into a multi-product collaboration with Brii Biosciences to develop and
commercialize Qpex’s portfolio in China of potentially best-in-class
therapies to treat a range of multi-drug resistant gram-negative
infections.
● Multi-product collaboration will address pathogens for which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared there is a “critical need” for new drugs due to carbapenem-resistance in Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
● Qpex grants license to its current product portfolio in greater China territories to Brii Biosciences while Qpex retains all other rights globally, including the U.S. and Europe
“We are thrilled to be working together with a team that shares our vision and dedication to address the global antimicrobial resistance problem,” said Michael Dudley, Pharm.D., President and CEO of Qpex Biopharma. "Brii Bio’s depth of understanding in this field and their unique, cross-regional operating model make them the ideal collaborator in bringing our treatments to this important region where endemic drug-resistance problems can be well addressed by our portfolio.”
The portfolio includes the following investigational products:
OMNIvance:
an intravenous-administered, beta-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) based
product that may provide best-in-class coverage of Acinetobacter
species, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including
carbapenem-resistant strains
ORAvance: an orally-administered BLI combination for the treatment of multi-drug
resistant gram-negative infections in outpatient settings, or to allow
hospitalized patients to switch from IV to oral therapy
Next-generation polymyxin: an IV-administered, targeted spectrum synthetic polymyxin with an enhanced therapeutic profile designed to address highly resistant infections caused by Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter
OMNIvance and ORAvance use Qpex’s novel ultra-broad-spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor QPX7728 that inhibits both serine and metallo beta-lactamases, and restores the activity of multiple IV and oral beta-lactam antibiotics against drug-resistant gram- negative pathogens.
“The higher level of antibiotic resistance is a very serious problem in China and the spread of super bugs crossing borders is a recognized global threat,” said Zhi Hong, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Brii Bio. “We are delighted to join forces with Qpex to advance its portfolio of medicines that will help address this public health threat and complements our overall infectious disease strategy in China.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Brii Biosciences will obtain a license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the portfolio in greater China, which includes Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and the People’s Republic of China. Brii Biosciences will make an upfront payment, as well as success-based development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, and share in the costs of a global development program. Qpex Biopharma will also receive tiered royalties on sales in the Brii Bio territory.
About Qpex Biopharma
Qpex
Biopharma (www.qpexbio.com) is a San Diego-based biopharmaceutical
company with a pipeline of best-in-class agents addressing critical
needs for treatment of infectious diseases in the inpatient and
outpatient settings. Qpex was launched in 2018 with investments from New
Enterprise Associates, Adams Street Partners, LYZZ Capital, Hatteras
Venture Partners and Stanford University Draper Fund. The company’s
scientists and clinicians have a record of deep expertise in the
discovery and development of anti-infective agents, and an extensive
record of working with public- private partnerships, including
partnerships with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development
Authority (BARDA) that led to the first approved antimicrobial drug
product under that program in 2017.