The Navarre and Portuguese companies Digna Biotech and Biotecnol have announced the signature of an exclusivity agreement with purchase option with the American business Genentech, of group Roche, for the development and commercialization of cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) in the treatment of certain liver pathologies, such as liver transplantation and liver tissue resection.

With this agreement, Genentech grants business Digna Biotech and Biotecnol an exclusive right to the patent it holds on CT-1, which allows them to develop its potential in the treatment of various liver disorders.

In turn, Digna Biotech and Biotecnol guarantee Genentech an option to purchase the indications developed at agreement and the know-how being developed for the production of the protein. As a result of this agreement, Genentech has received a payment for the licence. 

In addition, if Genentech decides to exercise its call option, it will reimburse Digna Biotech and Biotecnol for the development expenses invested in CT-1, and will pay the milestones and royalties agreed upon on sales achieved worldwide.

"This agreement is the result of the work of many people and institutions that have been involved in the different aspects of project, from the finding of the activity of CT-1 in the liver carried out by the researchers of CIMA of the University of Navarra, or the strong financial support obtained from the public sector (CDTI and Government of Navarra) and the commitment of private investment funds (core topic Mayor and Suanfarma Biotech)", they pointed out.
All this, "together with the synergy of two companies highly committed to project, such as Biotecnol and Digna Biotech, has made it possible for us to develop CT-1 for clinical use," commented Pablo Ortiz, director general manager of Digna Biotech. 

In this regard, Pedro de Noroña, director general manager of Biotecnol, added that "Digna Biotech and Biotecnol have managed to establish an example of transnational research that has as goal to offer CT-1 to patients with severe liver diseases". And he added that they are "delighted to have reached this agreement with Genentech, a business pioneer in the biotechnology sector worldwide".