Xeris Biopharma Holdings (NASDAQ:XERS) told investors it has entered into a platform research evaluation collaboration and option agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company said it will use its proprietary drug-formulation platform, XeriJect, to develop ultra-highly concentrated, ready-to-use, small-volume subcutaneous injections of two undisclosed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) developed by Regeneron.
Xeris will receive an upfront payment and potential milestone payments for preclinical achievements. Regeneron has an option to commercially license the Xeris technology for such molecules and nominate additional molecules for reformulation and potential commercialization, the company said, adding that specific financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
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“We are excited to be working with Regeneron on a platform collaboration basis, which builds on our prior feasibility studies and reflects the significant progress and investment we have been making into the development of XeriJect,” Xeris Biopharma chairman and CEO Paul Edick said in a statement. “Through our novel drug-formulation platform, we aim to provide our biologic development collaborators with the competitive advantage of delivering a significantly improved patient and provider experience through stable, ready-to-use, ultra-highly concentrated, small-volume subcutaneous injection formulations.
“This agreement with Regeneron is another in a series of collaborations Xeris has recently undertaken with top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies,” he added.
More about XeriJect
Xeris’ drug-delivery system, XeriJect, provides innovative, ready-to-use, viscoelastic pharmaceutical suspensions that have the potential to improve drug delivery, lower treatment burden and improve patients' lives across a broad range of therapeutic categories. XeriJect suspensions maximize drug loadings at great than 450 milligrams per millilitre (mg/mL), enable small-volume subcutaneous injections, do not settle on storage and are ready to use. The suspensions use FDA-approved excipients and leverage known manufacturing processes.
XeriJect formulation technology is well suited for drugs and biologics, including large molecules such as proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. The technology is protected by an extensive patent estate, trade secrets and know-how, and it is available for licensing.
Xeris is a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical company committed to improving patients’ lives by developing and commercializing differentiated and innovative products across a range of therapies.
The company has three commercially available products: Gvoke, a ready-to-use liquid glucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia; Keveyis, a proven therapy for primary periodic paralysis; and Recorlev for the treatment of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome.
Xeris has a diverse pipeline of development and partnered programs using its formulation sciences, XeriSol and XeriJect, to support long-term product development and commercial success.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com