Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim to Partner on Diabetes Drugs

(Photos8.com)

Pharmaceutical manufacturers Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis and Boehringer Ingelheim in Germany have agreed to jointly develop and commercialize several of their diabetes compounds in mid- and late-stage development. The total value of the deal could reach $2.37 billion.

The agreement covers Boehringer Ingelheim’s two oral diabetes agents — linagliptin and BI10773 — and Lilly’s two basal insulin analogs — LY2605541 and LY2963016. The deal includes as well the option to co-develop and commercialize Lilly’s anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibody.

Linagliptin is Boehringer Ingelheim’s oral once-daily tablet for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes currently under regulatory review in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Boehringer Ingelheim’s BI10773 is an emerging diabetes drug that blocks reabsorption of glucose in the kidney. A phase 3 clinical trial of the drug is enrolling participants.

Lilly’s two basal insulin analog candidates, LY2605541 and LY2963016 are expected to begin phase 3 clinical trials in 2011. The anti-transforming growth factor-beta (anti-TGF-beta) monoclonal antibody is currently in phase 2 clinical testing in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Lilly will make a one-time payment to Boehringer Ingelheim of €300 million ($388 million). Boehringer Ingelheim will be eligible for up to €625 million ($808 million) in success-based regulatory milestones for linagliptin and BI10773. Lilly will be eligible to receive up $650 million in success-based regulatory milestones on its two basal analogue insulins. Should Boehringer Ingelheim go ahead with commercialization of the anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibody, Lilly would be eligible for up to $525 million in opt-in and success-based regulatory milestone payments.

The companies will share ongoing development costs equally. Once any product under the agreement gets regulatory approval, the companies will equally share in the product’s commercialization costs and gross margin. Each company will also be entitled to potential performance payments on sales of the molecules they contribute to the collaboration.

Read more: Survey: Type-2 Diabetes Patients Would Switch from Insulin

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