Ambrilia Biopharma grants Merck worldwide rights to HIV/AIDS protease inhibitor program

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 12 - Ambrilia Biopharma Inc., in an exclusive licensing agreement, granted Merck & Co., Inc. the worldwide rights to its HIV/AIDS protease inhibitor program for a $17 million upfront licensing fee and additional milestone and royalty payments of up to $215 million.

Ambrilia stands to receive additional milestone-based cash payments and royalties on any related compounds Merck develops that fall within the scope of the Ambrilia protease inhibitor program.

"The licensing agreement marks an important milestone in our company history," president and chief executive officer Hans J. Mader said during a conference call today. The agreement strengthened the financial position of the company, which is not yet a year old, Mader added.

The first milestone payment of $3 million is based on the successful completion of a phase 1 repeat dose pharmacokinetic study of PPL-100, Ambrilia's lead HIV protease inhibitor. Results from this study are expected in November.

Merck will assume all further development costs related to PPL-101 after the phase 1 trial is complete.

Ambrilia is a biopharmaceutical company located in Montreal.

Merck is a Whitehouse Station, N.J., pharmaceutical company.

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