MedImmune, Infinity form development, commercialization agreement

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 28 - MedImmune, Inc. and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have agreed to develop and commercialize small-molecule cancer drugs targeting Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) and the Hedgehog cell-signaling pathway.

"With IPI-504, we have a promising drug candidate with already-established preclinical in-vivo proof of concept and the potential to reach the market by 2010. In collaboration with Infinity, we plan to accelerate development of the intravenous formulation of IPI-504, as well as to expand into additional tumor types. In addition, we expect to be able to commence clinical testing of the next-generation oral formulation of IPI-504, as well as an oral formulation of a hedgehog inhibitor within the next 12 to 18 months," said Edward T. Mathers, MedImmune's executive vice president of corporate development and venture, in a statement.

Under the agreement, MedImmune and Infinity will share equally all costs and profits from the development and commercialization of any future products.

MedImmune will provide Infinity a one-time upfront payment of $70 million for co-exclusive, shared rights to the Hsp90 and Hedgehog pathway product-development programs.

In addition, Infinity could receive up to an additional $430 million in milestone payments for certain late-stage clinical development and sales targets for any future products resulting from the collaboration.

For each of the Hsp90 and Hedgehog pathway programs, Infinity will retain primary responsibility for discovery, preclinical development and translational clinical development of products through proof of concept in humans.

MedImmune and Infinity will jointly conduct clinical development through first product approval. MedImmune will lead worldwide regulatory strategy as well as sales and marketing of resulting products; Infinity retains an option to co-promote any future products in the United States, contributing up to 35% of the total promotional effort.

Infinity is a pharmaceutical company located in Cambridge, Mass.

MedImmune is a pharmaceutical company located in Gaithersburg, Md.

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