SEED Therapeutics (SEED) Enters into Strategic Research Collaboration with Eisai Co., Ltd. to Discover and Develop Novel Molecular Glue Degraders for Neurodegeneration and Oncology Indications
SEED Therapeutics has announced a strategic research collaboration with Eisai Co., to discover and develop novel molecular glue degraders for neurodegeneration and oncology targets. SEED is entitled to receive up to $1.5 billion in upfront and milestone payments, plus tiered royalties. Concurrently, SEED has launched a Series A-3 financing with a first close of $24 million led by Eisai, with a second close targeted for Q4 2024.
The collaboration leverages Eisai's expertise in neurodegeneration and cancer. SEED will lead preclinical discovery activities, while Eisai will have exclusive rights to develop and commercialize resulting compounds. The financing will advance SEED's clinical development of internal programs, including an oral RBM39 Degrader for cancer and a Tau degrader for Alzheimer's disease, as well as expand its TPD platform and pipeline.
SEED Therapeutics ha annunciato una collaborazione strategica di ricerca con Eisai Co. per scoprire e sviluppare nuovi degradatori a base di molecole di colla per obiettivi neurodegenerativi e oncologici. SEED ha diritto a ricevere fino a 1,5 miliardi di dollari in pagamenti anticipati e a traguardi, oltre a royalties scalari. In concomitanza, SEED ha lanciato un finanziamento di Serie A-3 con una prima chiusura di 24 milioni di dollari guidata da Eisai, con una seconda chiusura prevista per il quarto trimestre del 2024.
La collaborazione sfrutta l'esperienza di Eisai in neurodegenerazione e cancro. SEED guiderà le attività di scoperta preclinica, mentre Eisai avrà diritti esclusivi per sviluppare e commercializzare i composti risultanti. Il finanziamento sosterrà lo sviluppo clinico di programmi interni di SEED, incluso un degradatore orale di RBM39 per il cancro e un degradatore di Tau per la malattia di Alzheimer, oltre a espandere la sua piattaforma e pipeline TPD.
SEED Therapeutics ha anunciado una colaboración estratégica de investigación con Eisai Co. para descubrir y desarrollar nuevos degradadores de adhesivo molecular para objetivos de neurodegeneración y oncología. SEED tiene derecho a recibir hasta 1.5 mil millones de dólares en pagos iniciales y por hitos, además de regalías escalonadas. Concurrentemente, SEED ha lanzado un financiamiento de Serie A-3 con un primer cierre de 24 millones de dólares liderado por Eisai, con un segundo cierre programado para el cuarto trimestre de 2024.
La colaboración aprovecha la experiencia de Eisai en neurodegeneración y cáncer. SEED liderará las actividades de descubrimiento preclínico, mientras que Eisai tendrá derechos exclusivos para desarrollar y comercializar los compuestos resultantes. El financiamiento impulsará el desarrollo clínico de los programas internos de SEED, que incluyen un degradador oral de RBM39 para el cáncer y un degradador de Tau para la enfermedad de Alzheimer, así como expandir su plataforma y pipeline TPD.
SEED Therapeutics는 신경퇴행 및 종양 표적을 위한 새로운 분자 용해제를 발견하고 개발하기 위해 Eisai Co.와 전략적 연구 협업을 발표했습니다. SEED는 최대 15억 달러의 선불 및 이정표 지급을 받을 권리가 있으며, 누진 로열티도 포함됩니다. 동시에, SEED는 Eisai가 주도하는 A-3 시리즈 자금 조달을 시작했으며, 첫 번째 마감액은 2400만 달러로 2024년 4분기에 두 번째 마감을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
이 협업은 신경퇴행 및 암 분야에서 Eisai의 전문성을 활용합니다. SEED가 전임상 발견 활동을 주도하고 Eisai는 결과 화합물을 개발하고 상용화할 독점 권리를 가지게 됩니다. 자금 조달은 SEED의 내부 프로그램의 임상 개발을 진전시키고, 암용 경구형 RBM39 분해제와 알츠하이머병용 Tau 분해제를 포함하여 TPD 플랫폼 및 파이프라인을 확장할 것입니다.
SEED Therapeutics a annoncé une collaboration de recherche stratégique avec Eisai Co. pour découvrir et développer des dégradants moléculaires novateurs ciblant la neurodégénérescence et l'oncologie. SEED est en droit de recevoir jusqu'à 1,5 milliard de dollars en paiements initiaux et en paiements de jalons, ainsi que des redevances échelonnées. Parallèlement, SEED a lancé un financement de Série A-3 avec une première clôture de 24 millions de dollars dirigée par Eisai, avec une deuxième clôture prévue pour le quatrième trimestre de 2024.
Cette collaboration tire parti de l'expertise d'Eisai dans les domaines de la neurodégénérescence et du cancer. SEED dirigera les activités de découverte préclinique, tandis qu'Eisai aura des droits exclusifs pour développer et commercialiser les composés résultants. Le financement facilitera le développement clinique des programmes internes de SEED, incluant un dégradant oral de RBM39 pour le cancer et un dégradant de Tau pour la maladie d'Alzheimer, ainsi que l'expansion de sa plateforme et de son pipeline TPD.
SEED Therapeutics hat eine strategische Forschungszusammenarbeit mit Eisai Co. angekündigt, um neuartige molekulare Kleber-Abbauprodukte für neurodegenerative und onkologische Ziele zu entdecken und zu entwickeln. SEED hat Anspruch auf bis zu 1,5 Milliarden Dollar an Vorauszahlungen und Meilensteinzahlungen sowie gestaffelte Lizenzgebühren. Gleichzeitig hat SEED eine Serie A-3-Finanzierung initiiert, die mit einem ersten Abschluss von 24 Millionen Dollar unter der Leitung von Eisai erfolgt, wobei ein zweiter Abschluss für das vierte Quartal 2024 angestrebt wird.
Die Zusammenarbeit nutzt die Expertise von Eisai in den Bereichen Neurodegeneration und Krebs. SEED wird die präklinischen Entdeckungsaktivitäten leiten, während Eisai das exklusive Recht hat, die resultierenden Verbindungen zu entwickeln und zu vermarkten. Die Finanzierung wird die klinische Entwicklung von SEEDs internen Programmen vorantreiben, einschließlich eines oralen RBM39-Abbaus für Krebs und eines Tau-Abbaus für die Alzheimer-Krankheit, sowie die Erweiterung ihrer TPD-Plattform und -Pipeline unterstützen.
- Strategic research collaboration with Eisai worth up to $1.5 billion in upfront and milestone payments, plus tiered royalties
- Series A-3 financing with a first close of $24 million led by Eisai
- Advancement of internal lead program in cancer (oral RBM39 Degrader) into Phase 1 testing in 2025
- Progress of Tau degrader program for Alzheimer's disease into in vivo efficacy in 2025 and IND in 2026
- Expansion of proprietary TPD platform and pipeline
- None.
Insights
The strategic collaboration between SEED Therapeutics and Eisai is a significant financial development for SEED. With potential payments of up to
This dual-pronged approach of collaboration and investment demonstrates strong confidence in SEED's technology platform. The additional funding will accelerate SEED's R&D efforts, potentially leading to faster product development and market entry. However, investors should note that milestone payments are contingent on research progress and the full
The collaboration with industry leaders like Eisai and Eli Lilly enhances SEED's credibility and market position, potentially increasing its valuation. Overall, this news is highly positive for SEED's financial outlook and growth prospects.
SEED's Molecular Glue platform for targeted protein degradation (TPD) represents a cutting-edge approach in drug discovery. The collaboration with Eisai, focusing on neurodegeneration and oncology, validates the potential of this technology across multiple therapeutic areas.
The advancement of SEED's oral RBM39 Degrader to Phase 1 trials in 2025 is particularly noteworthy. RBM39 degradation has shown promise in cancer treatment and SEED's potentially "best-in-class" oral formulation could offer significant advantages over existing therapies.
Additionally, SEED's Tau degrader program for Alzheimer's disease, progressing to in vivo efficacy studies in 2025, aligns with the growing interest in targeting Tau for neurodegenerative disorders. This positions SEED at the forefront of a highly competitive and potentially lucrative field.
The collaboration with Eisai and Eli Lilly, both leaders in neurodegeneration drug development, significantly enhances SEED's capabilities and potential for success in this challenging therapeutic area.
The collaboration between SEED and Eisai reflects the growing interest in targeted protein degradation (TPD) as a novel therapeutic approach. This deal positions SEED favorably in the competitive TPD market, estimated to reach
SEED's focus on both oncology and neurodegeneration is strategically sound. The global Alzheimer's drug market is projected to exceed
The involvement of industry giants like Eisai and Eli Lilly not only provides financial support but also offers potential commercialization pathways for SEED's products. This could significantly reduce time-to-market and increase the likelihood of commercial success.
Investors should view this development positively, as it strengthens SEED's competitive position and market potential in the rapidly evolving biotechnology landscape.
SEED Concurrently Enters into Share Purchase Agreements for its Series A-3 Financing Led by Eisai
- The SEED-Eisai Research Collaboration leverages Eisai’s leading expertise in neurodegeneration and cancer. SEED is entitled to receive upfront and milestone payments of up to
$1.5 billion plus tiered royalties upon Eisai’s exercise of their exclusive rights under the strategic research collaboration
- Concurrently, SEED has launched Series A-3 financing with a first close of
$24 million from investors led by Eisai. A second close is targeted for Q4 2024
- The Series A-3 financing will advance clinical development of SEED’s internal lead program in cancer, expand its TPD platform and pipeline, and supplement prior investments in SEED from Eli Lilly and BeyondSpring
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Aug. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SEED Therapeutics Inc. (“SEED”), a biotechnology company focused on harnessing and engineering Molecular Glues for targeted protein degradation (TPD) of disease-causing proteins, today announced a strategic research collaboration with Eisai Co., Ltd. (“Eisai”) to discover, develop, and commercialize novel molecular glue degraders for multiple undisclosed neurodegeneration and oncology targets. The collaboration is coupled with a Series A-3 financing led by Eisai.
Key Aspects of the SEED – Eisai Collaboration:
- Collaboration Roles: SEED will lead preclinical discovery activities for the selected targets, including E3 ligase selection and identification of the appropriate molecular glue degraders. Eisai will have exclusive rights to develop and commercialize compounds derived from this collaboration.
- Financial Terms: SEED is entitled to receive upfront payment and preclinical, clinical, regulatory and sales milestone payments of up to
$1.5 billion , plus tiered royalties upon Eisai’s exercise of their exclusive rights under the strategic research collaboration.
The SEED–Eisai collaboration follows a separate and on-going research collaboration between SEED and Eli Lilly to discover and develop Molecular Glue Degraders for undisclosed targets. (Click here for related press release.)
Series A-3 Financing:
SEED also announces a Series A-3 financing with a first close of
The Series A-3 financing is expected to further accelerate SEED’s clinical development of internal proprietary programs in cancer and in neurodegeneration, expand its TPD platform and pipeline, and supplement prior investments from Eli Lilly and BeyondSpring.
- SEED will advance its internal, potentially “best-in-class” oral RBM39 Degrader into Phase 1 safety/efficacy testing beginning in 2025 for rationally selected, biomarker-driven cancer indications. SEED’s program will build on Eisai’s pioneering discovery of a class of RBM39 degraders over three decades.
- SEED will also progress its internal Tau degrader program (for Alzheimer’s disease) into in vivo efficacy in 2025, and IND in 2026.
- SEED will scale its proprietary TPD platform development. With global neurodegeneration drug development leaders Eisai and Eli Lilly as investors and research collaborators, SEED will extend its research and thought leadership in the discovery and development of oral Molecular Glues for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Takashi Owa, Eisai’s Chief Scientific Officer, stated: “SEED has a cutting-edge technology platform to discover a class of molecular-glue target protein degraders, one of the most highlighted modalities in the modern drug discovery. While the anti-myeloma drug lenalidomide from the molecular-glue class has been successful in the oncology field, our research collaboration will also focus on utilizing this modality in the neurology field. Our collaboration with SEED is unique and clearly differentiated, and I look forward to learning of the important progress being made by both companies to achieve Social Good.”
Dr. Lan Huang, SEED’s Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, added, “We are honored to collaborate with Eisai, a world-leading drug development powerhouse, to discover impactful medicines for undruggable targets. Looking ahead, SEED’s unique Molecular Glue discovery platform on neurodegenerative disease will be further strengthened through our collaborations with both Eli Lilly and Eisai (under separate collaboration agreements), two global pioneers in the timely development of treatments for neurodegeneration, including approved therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, having demonstrated the scalability and versatility of our TPD platform through the success of multiple pipeline programs across various key therapeutic indications, our Series A-3 financing and non-dilutive funding of R&D milestone payments from both Eli Lilly and Eisai, SEED is well-positioned to advance our internal high-profile programs into clinics, and to create great value for patients and our shareholders.”
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About SEED Therapeutics
SEED Therapeutics is an innovative biotech company focused on harnessing and engineering “molecular glues” and TPD to attack previously undruggable targets. Backed by a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio, SEED’s mission is to positively improve human health by developing novel protein degradation therapeutics to treat various diseases that currently have limited treatment options for patients. Through active collaborations with SEED Co-Founders, who are pioneers and thought leaders in the TPD field, SEED has developed a growing pipeline of novel drug candidates in neurodegeneration and oncology approaching clinical development. SEED has both a research collaboration and investment from Eli Lilly and Company. Learn more by visiting https://seedtherapeutics.com/.
About Eisai Co., Ltd.
Eisai’s Corporate Concept is “to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides.” Under this “human health care (hhc)” Concept, we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to deliver innovative products to address unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology and Global Health.
For more information, please visit www.eisai.com, X, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About BeyondSpring
BeyondSpring is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies to improve clinical outcomes for patients with high unmet medical needs. The Company is advancing its first-in-class lead asset, Plinabulin, a potent inducer of dendritic cell maturation, in late-stage clinical development as a direct anti-cancer agent in NSCLC and a variety of cancer indications. BeyondSpring’s pipeline also includes three preclinical immuno-oncology assets. Additionally, BeyondSpring is an early incubator and investor of SEED’s TPD technology. Learn more by visiting https://beyondspringpharma.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements that are not historical facts. Words such as “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “design,” “may,” “future,” “estimate,” “predict,” “objective,” “goal,” or variations thereof and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on BeyondSpring’s current knowledge and its present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors including, but not limited to, difficulties raising the anticipated amount needed to finance BeyondSpring’s and SEED’s future operations on terms acceptable to BeyondSpring and SEED, if at all, unexpected results of clinical trials, delays or denial in regulatory approval process, results that do not meet our expectations regarding the potential safety, the ultimate efficacy or clinical utility of our product candidates, increased competition in the market, and other risks described in BeyondSpring’s most recent Form 20-F on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this release and BeyondSpring undertakes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by law.
Investor Contact:
IR@seedtherapeutics.com
Media Contact:
PR@seedtherapeutics.com
FAQ
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