Catalent Biologics Announces Research Collaboration with Roche on SMARTag Technology

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SOMERSET, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Catalent, Inc. (NYSE:CTLT), the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products today announced, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Redwood Bioscience, Inc., a research collaboration with Roche to develop next-generation molecules coupling different therapeutic modalities using Catalent’s proprietary SMARTag™ technology.

Roche will gain non-exclusive access to the SMARTag platform and will have an option to take commercial licenses to develop molecules directed to a defined number of targets. Use of SMARTag, Catalent’s programmable protein-modification technology, combined with the highly stable hydrazino-Pictet-Spengler (HIPS™) conjugation platform, will permit evaluation of alternative sites of drug conjugation so that Roche may develop molecules optimized for efficacy, safety and stability. Roche will pay Catalent an up-front fee of $1 million and provide additional research funding during the initial phase of the collaboration. Catalent has the potential to receive up to $618 million in development and commercial milestones, plus royalties on net sales of products, if Roche pursues commercial licenses and all options are exercised.

“Roche is a pioneer and leader in biologics for oncology and beyond, and we look forward to working with the Roche team to support development of their next generation of medicines,” commented Mike Riley, Catalent Biologics’ Vice President/General Manager. “Our goal is to combine our differentiated SMARTag technology with Roche’s expertise to create new transformational treatments.”

 

About the SMARTag™ Technology

The proprietary SMARTag site-specific protein-modification and linker technologies were developed by Redwood Bioscience to enable the generation of homogenous bioconjugates engineered to enhance potency, safety and stability. The technology employs natural post-translational modifications found in human cells to create one or more aldehyde tags at designated sites on protein molecules. These chemical “handles’’ are then stably conjugated to payloads (e.g. cytotoxic or effector) to prevent their systemic release. The SMARTag platform provides precise payload positioning, stable, site-specific conjugation and defined stoichiometry of drug–protein ratios. The control afforded by the technology enables identification of superior drugs from libraries of differentially designed conjugates. Catalent acquired Redwood Bioscience in 2014.

 

About Catalent

Catalent, Inc. is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products. With over 80 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs approximately 8,700 people, including approximately 1,000 scientists and technicians, at 31 facilities across 5 continents, and in fiscal 2015 generated more than $1.8 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, N.J. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.

 

More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied.™

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally concern the implementation of the agreement with Roche, the development of drugs using SMARTag technology, and the amounts potentially payable to Catalent under the agreement. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Catalent’s expectations and projections. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following: the parties’ ability to successfully develop drug candidates using the licensed technology; Roche’s willingness to continue the program and pay the resulting milestones in light of competing priorities; Catalent’s ability to perform its obligations under the agreement; the highly competitive pharmaceutical market and the effect of competition on Catalent’s business; product and other liability risks that could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows; failure to comply with existing and future regulatory requirements; failure to provide quality offerings to customers, which could have an adverse effect on our business and subject the Company to regulatory actions and costly litigation; problems providing the highly exacting and complex services or support required; global economic, political and regulatory risks to the operations of the Company; inadequate patents, copyrights, trademarks and other forms of intellectual property protections; changes in market access or healthcare reimbursement in the United States or internationally; fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies; adverse tax legislation initiatives or challenges to the Company’s tax positions; loss of key personnel; risks generally associated with information systems; Catalent’s offerings and customers’ products that may infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties; environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, which could increase costs and restrict operations; and labor and employment laws and regulations. For a more detailed discussion of these and other factors, see the information under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release or as of the date they are made, and Catalent, Inc. does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments except to the extent required by law.

 

 

Contacts

For Catalent, Inc.
Investors:
Thomas Castellano, 732-537-6325
[email protected]
or
Media:
Chris Halling, +44 (0)7580 041073
[email protected]
or
Richard Kerns, +44 (0) 161 728 5880
[email protected]

 

Source: Business Wire

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