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Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; President: Toichi Takino; “Ono”) today announced that it has entered into a new option and research collaboration agreement (“the Agreement”) with Monash University (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) to discover and create new antibodies targeting at G protein- coupled receptors (GPCRs), in order that Ono can create and develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Ono previously concluded the option and research collaboration agreement with Monash University to discover and create anti-GPCR antibodies in January 2023.
The Agreement executed this time is to discover and create antibodies binding to a therapeutic target of GPCRs different from the existing agreement. Similar to the earlier collaboration, under the terms of the Agreement, Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute will lead another antibody discovery campaign to target GPCRs traditionally hard to target. Ono will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize a therapeutic product based on an antibody that Ono will select from the multiple anti-GPCR antibodies created by Monash University. Ono will make an upfront payment to Monash University with the research funding during the option period. If Ono exercises its option under the agreement, Ono will pay to Monash University milestones on progress of clinical development and sales, as well as royalties based on future net sales.
“Through the earlier collaboration, we renewed our recognition that Monash University has the capability in the creation of anti-GPCR antibodies using its sophisticated expertise and technologies that can overcome difficult challenges,” said Seishi Katsumata, Corporate Officer / Executive Director, Discovery & Research of Ono. “Through this new collaboration with Monash University, we expect to discover innovative antibodies against a different GPCR target that fulfil unmet medical needs in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, different from the diseases in the existing agreement.”
“We are excited to sign a new agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical and continue combining our expertise in anti-GPCR antibody discovery with their exceptional capabilities in drug development,” said Associate Professor Remy Robert, Laboratory Head at Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute. “The strength of the collaboration forged over the last eighteen months has led to the acceleration of treatments across a variety of diseases.”
“We are delighted to continue working with Ono Pharmaceutical as the collaboration has been a great example of discovery research joining forces with a major industry partner in order to accelerate the development of new therapies,” said Dr Alison Greenway, Senior Director Enterprise and Partnerships, Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
About GPCRs
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise the largest class of membrane receptors and amount to approximately 800 in the human genome. GPCR-targeted therapeutics comprise major drug classes in many disease areas.
About Monash University
Monash University (monash.edu) is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation. With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia, and Italy, it is one of the most internationalized Australian universities.
Monash University has been translating game-changing research into impactful commercial outcomes for more than 60 years. We’re doing the heavy lifting in commercialization and fostering a talent pool that is powering Australian industries and economy. Monash spin-outs are developing sustainable solutions to global challenges like climate change and advancing the human species through scientific breakthroughs in IVF, cardiovascular disease, mental health and more.
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