Calypso Biotech enters strategic partnership with EA Pharma

Established as a spin-off from Merck and funded by Merck Ventures, Calypso Biotech is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of novel biologics in the gastrointestinal disease area. The startup announced that it has licensed CALY-001 best-in-class anti-MMP-9 antibody to EA Pharma.

CALY-001 is a promising novel treatment for indications such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), potentially capable of preventing disease complications. It prevents in vivo antibody elimination through binding to the abundant pro-enzyme form of MMP-9, while preserving full enzymatic inhibition of activated and disease-relevant MMP-9.

“This agreement highlights the strong potential for CALY-001, which possesses a unique mode of action through binding and inhibiting active MMP-9“, says Alain Vicari, CEO of Calypso Biotech. “By teaming with EA Pharma, a leader in gastrointestinal diseases with full value chain, we will fulfill our vision to bring new therapeutics to patients suffering from severe gastrointestinal diseases. Beyond IBD, CALY-001 represents a promising and advantageous therapeutic option for several oncology, inflammation and fibrosis indications”.

Under the agreement, Calypso Biotech will grant EA Pharma an exclusive and world-wide license for the development, manufacturing and marketing of CALY-001. Both companies will collaborate to develop CALY-001 for IBD. Calypso Biotech will receive an upfront, milestone and royalty payments from EA Pharma. Staatz Business Development & Strategy acted as transaction advisor to Calypso Biotech.

About MMP-9
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme. In IBD, MMP-9 is excessively expressed and activated within the inflamed gastrointestinal tissue. MMP-9 is also associated with other pathologies including cancer, chronic inflammation and fibrotic diseases. MMP-9 is mostly secreted as inactive pro-enzyme, which is activated when cleaved by other proteinases.

(RAN)