Mediar Therapeutics licenses IPF therapy to Eli Lilly

USA—Mediar Therapeutics has entered into a global licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to advance MTX-463, a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody, into a Phase II trial. 

The goal is to explore its potential as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease.

Under the deal’s terms, Mediar will receive an initial US$99 million, which includes upfront payments and near-term milestones.

Additionally, the company could receive up to US$687 million in future development and commercialization milestones, along with royalties from potential product sales.

MTX-463 recently completed a Phase I trial involving healthy volunteers, where it was shown to be well-tolerated.

The therapy also successfully engaged WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) at all tested doses, a key factor in addressing IPF.

The upcoming Phase II trial will evaluate the therapy’s pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety in patients with IPF.

Mediar is responsible for conducting the trial, which is expected to begin in the first half of 2025.

After the Phase II trial, Eli Lilly will take over further clinical development and commercialization of the therapy.

Mediar’s CEO, Rahul Ballal, emphasized that this collaboration aligns with their innovative approach to treating fibrotic diseases, specifically targeting myofibroblasts.

The partnership supports Mediar’s mission to deliver first-in-class therapies to patients in need, particularly those facing diseases with high unmet medical needs.

In addition to MTX-463, Mediar Therapeutics is advancing two other proprietary programs focused on treating fibrotic disorders independently.

 This reflects the company’s broader commitment to addressing complex medical conditions with cutting-edge treatments.

This comes a few days after Eli Lilly revealed plans to open a new global capability center in Hyderabad, India.

Meanwhile, Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide) received a significant label expansion from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2024.

The expanded approval allows Zepbound to treat adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, further demonstrating Eli Lilly’s ongoing commitment to addressing pressing healthcare needs.

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