Eli Lilly pays $55m to gain rights to diabetes treatments

Eli Lilly has entered into a collaboration agreement with KeyBioscience, a subsidiary of Nordic Bioscience, to commercialise dual amylin calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs).

DACRAs are a potential new class of treatments for metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

Eli Lilly will pay an initial sum of $55 million for the worldwide rights, said the companies in a press release published yesterday.

Morten Karsdal, chairman of the board at KeyBioscience, said: “We are extremely excited about the promise of this new mechanism, which could potentially improve insulin sensitivity, reduce weight and improve blood glucose control.”

He added: “The dual activation of the calcitonin and amylin receptors is exciting research in the diabetes space. We look forward to partnering with Lilly to advance this important work.”

DACRAs are thought to improve insulin sensitivity, suppress food intake, reduce fat deposition, improve blood glucose levels and cause weight reduction.

Enrique Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes and Lilly USA, said: “Our strategic collaboration with KeyBioscience AG will open the door to a potentially innovative treatment approach for people with type 2 diabetes and, possibly, other metabolic conditions.”

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