Lilly to Acquire Morphic for $3.2 Billion to Expand Immunology Pipeline: Overview of Over 10 Immunology Candidates and Their Development Progress in China

Jul 09, 2024 14:22 CST Updated 14:22

Morphic Therapeutic

Oral Drug Manufacturers

Eli Lilly

Global Pharmaceutical R&D and Production Company

▎WuXiEdited by Kant Content Team

Today, a重磅消息 came from the industry,Eli Lilly and Company will pay a total amount ofApproximately $3.2 Billion AcquisitionBiopharmaceutical CompanyMorphic HoldingThe latter's leading project, an oral integrin therapy under research, is being developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Public information shows,This is Eli Lilly's first biotech company acquisition disclosed in 2024, and this acquisition willExpand Eli Lilly's immunology pipeline.This newsHighly anticipated by the industry.

Autoimmune diseases are inflammatory immune disorders characterized by localized or systemic abnormal inflammatory immune responses. The global patient population and drug market size are both increasing, making it one of the hottest research and development areas in the global biopharmaceutical industry.Immunology is also a giftOne of the four core areas of the company's layout.This article will review the following based on publicly available informationEli Lilly and Company's Immunology R&D Pipeline, and the Development Progress of These Pipelines in China。

According to the pipeline information disclosed on Eli Lilly's official website,The companyIn the field of immunologyThere are many layouts,Targets involve JAK, IL-17And IL-23, PD-1, CD19,RIPK1Etc.. In addition to the approved JAK1/2 inhibitor baricitinib and the IL-17 monoclonal antibody ixekizumab, IL-23p19 antagonist mirikizumab,IL-13 Specific Antibody Lebrikizumab, andMore than 10 clinical-stage R&D pipelines in immunology, Treatment areas include rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.。In China,Ixekizumab InjectionInjection andBaricitinib tablets have also been approved for marketing.

Eli LillyPartial Product Pipeline in the Field of Immunology (Phase 2 Clinical and Above Development Stages)

Mirikizumab: AHumanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to the p19 subunit of IL-23, blocking IL-23-mediated inflammatory responses. In October 2023, the U.S. FDAApprovalThis product is used to treat adult patients with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis (UC). According to a previous press release from Eli Lilly, this is the first IL-23p19 antagonist for treating this patient population. Additionally, in May this year, Eli Lilly announced mirikizumabKey Phase 3 Study for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease Yields Positive Results; Eli Lilly and Company Has Submitted the Product to the FDA forCrohn's DiseaseNew Indication Marketing Application.

In China,Mirikizumab Injection Has Been Included by NMPABreakthrough Therapy Drug, intended for development for use inTreatment of adult patients with moderate to severe active Crohn's diseasePatient recruitment for the Phase 3 clinical study of Crohn's disease has been completed in China.

Lebrikizumab：Lebrikizumab, a IL-13 specific antibody therapy jointly developed by Almirall and Eli Lilly, for which Eli Lilly holds exclusive development and commercialization rights in all regions outside Europe. Lebrikizumab was approved for marketing in the EU in November 2023 for adolescent and adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. The product has demonstrated both short-term and long-term efficacy and safety.And the maintenance dose is once a month.。In China,Eli Lilly and Company has initiated lebrikizumab injection treatmentInternational Multicenter (Including China) Phase 3 Clinical Study of Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis。

Peresolimab：APD-1 AgonistAntibody therapy, currently under research for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. This product can bind to human PD-1 and act as its agonist, inhibiting the activation and expansion of lymphocytes, thereby restoring immune regulation. It is expected to become a new method for treating patients with autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. In May 2023, the Phase 2a study of this product for the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis was published."The New England Journal of Medicine" (NEJM）。In China, researchers are conducting trials on the product's treatmentInternational Multicenter (including China) Phase 2b Clinical Study of Rheumatoid Arthritis。

DC-806：Eli Lilly and Company for approximately $2.4 billionAcquisitionDICE Company's Oral Psoriasis Treatment(Also known as psoriasis)Therapy, for aSmall molecule inhibitor of the cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A. According to reports, DICE's proprietary technology platform aims to develop innovative oral small molecule drugs capable of influencing protein-protein interactions (PPI). These drugs can alter the overall structure of proteins, with PPI effects comparable to antibody-based drugs. Currently, no public information is available regarding the registration progress of this drug in China.

LY3972406：AHighly Selective Small Molecule Inhibitors of the Ion Channel Protein Kv1.3, which is currently under research for the treatment of psoriasis.In June 2022, Eli Lilly and Company reached a collaboration with D. E. Shaw Research, obtaining the latter'sHighly Selective Ion Channel Protein Kv1.3 Targeted Therapeutic DrugsFor the global clinical development and commercialization rights to treat immune and inflammatory diseases, a down payment of $60 million and subsequent milestone payments totaling $475 million were made.Kv1.3 is a type of effector memory T (T_EM) Special ion channels for cell activation and proliferation,T_EMCells are the root cause of many autoimmune diseases and certain rare cancers.Currently,Public information has not yet revealed the registration progress of this drug in China.

Image Source: 123RF

LY3541860：AInhibiting B-cell activityNovel Non-Depleting CD19 Antibody, aiming to develop a treatment for multiple sclerosis. B cells are involved in various aspects of autoimmune diseases, and B cell-targeted therapies have been proven effective for multiple autoimmune conditions. According to published studies, LY3541860 is a potent B cell inhibitor that may offer superior efficacy compared to currently available B cell-targeted therapies for treating autoimmune diseases, without causing B cell depletion.Currently,Public information has not yet revealed the registration progress of this drug in China.

Eltrekibart（LY3041658）：A monoclonal antibody therapy,Can neutralize chemokines that bind to CXCR1 or CXCR2 receptors, and is currently under investigation for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa. According to literature reports, CXCR1 and CXCR2 signaling play a crucial role in neutrophil migration, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis. In the human body, there are seven chemokines that signal through these receptors, forming the ELR+CXC chemokine family. To fully antagonize CXCR1 and CXCR2 signaling, an effective treatment should block both receptors or all seven ligands. Eltrekibart is exactly such aCan neutralize all 7 types of human and cynomolgus monkey ELR+CXC chemokinesMonoclonal antibody therapy.Currently,Public information has not yet revealed the registration progress of this drug in China.

Ocadusertib（LY3871801）：Small Molecule Drugs Targeting RIPK1, which is under research for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a key signaling protein in the tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling pathway, regulating inflammation and cell death in tissues throughout the body.Currently,Public information has not yet revealed the registration progress of this drug in China.

Ucenprubart（LY3454738）：AAgonist of immune checkpoint receptor protein, a kind ofMonoclonal Antibody Targeting Activation of CD200R, is being developed for the treatment ofAtopic dermatitis and other autoimmune diseases. CD200R is expressed on the surface of innate and adaptive immune cells, and activation of this receptor can reduce cytokine release and cell proliferation. According to the official website of the Chinese Drug Clinical Trial Registration and Information Disclosure Platform,Eli Lilly has launched the international multicenter Phase 2 study of this product in China., evaluate its targetingAdult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitisEfficacy and safety.

In addition to the above products, Eli Lilly has several immunology products in Phase 1 research, including the disclosed productsDC853 (Small Molecule New Drug)、GITR Antagonist, Itaconate Mimeticetc.

References:

[1] Lilly to Acquire Morphic to Improve Outcomes for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Retrieved July 8, 2024 from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-to-acquire-morphic-to-improve-outcomes-for-patients-with-inflammatory-bowel-disease-302190489.html

[2] Eli Lilly Official Website Pipeline Information. From https://www.lilly.com/discovery/clinical-development-pipeline#

[3] Official Website of China Drug Clinical Trial Registration and Information Disclosure Platform. From http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/clinicaltrials.searchlist.dhtml

This article is from the WuXi AppTec content team. Individuals are welcome to share it on their social media feeds. For authorization to repost or other collaboration requests, please contact wuxi_media@wuxiapptec.com.

Disclaimer: The content team of WuXi AppTec focuses on introducing the research progress in global biopharmaceuticals and health. This article is for information exchange only, and the views expressed in the article do not represent the position of WuXi AppTec, nor does it indicate that WuXi AppTec supports or opposes the views mentioned. This article is not a recommendation for treatment plans. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a正规 hospital.