Mediar Therapeutics collaborates with Ono Pharma on fibro-inflammatory antibody therapies

USA—Mediar Therapeutics has entered into a collaboration and option agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical to discover and develop antibody therapies for fibro-inflammatory diseases, which can cause organ damage and failure through tissue scarring and inflammation.

Under the agreement, Ono will work with Mediar to identify potential treatments using the biotechnology company’s fibrosis-focused discovery platform and expertise in myofibroblast biology and fibrosis-related pathways.

Myofibroblasts are cells that play a central role in the development of fibrosis by producing excess connective tissue and contributing to scarring.

Ono secures global licensing option

The partnership gives Ono an exclusive option to license worldwide development and commercialisation rights to the resulting therapeutic programmes.

Ono will also make an upfront payment to Mediar and fund research and development activities under the collaboration.

Seishi Katsumata, discovery and research corporate officer and executive vice-president at Ono Pharmaceutical, said fibro-inflammatory diseases continue to have significant unmet medical needs and that biologic medicines could help address these gaps.

He added that Mediar has developed expertise in fibrosis and antibody discovery, while Ono brings experience in immunology and inflammation research.

Combining the two companies’ capabilities could support the development of novel antibody therapies for patients with fibrotic diseases, Katsumata said.

Mediar advances fibrosis pipeline

Alongside the new collaboration, Mediar will continue advancing its existing portfolio of therapies targeting fibrotic disorders.

The company is developing MTX-474, an antibody targeting EphrinB2, in a Phase II study for systemic sclerosis.

The therapy is designed to block EphrinB2 signalling, a pathway involved in the initiation and progression of fibrosis.

Mediar is also developing MTX-463, an antibody targeting WNT1-inducible signalling pathway protein-1 (WISP1), for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company.

WISP1 is involved in processes that contribute to fibrosis and tissue scarring.

Meanwhile, MTX-439, an antibody targeting secreted modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2), is undergoing Phase I clinical development for fibrosis associated with chronic kidney disease.

The therapy is intended to inhibit SMOC2 activity, which has been linked to the development of kidney fibrosis.

Rahul Ballal, CEO of Mediar Therapeutics, said the collaboration with Ono represents an important milestone for the company and reflects increasing interest in targeting myofibroblasts as a potential approach to developing new treatments for fibrotic diseases.