BioVersys and Shionogi Collaborate on NTM Clinical Candidate

BioVersys AG has announced a partnership with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. to advance the development of new ansamycin leads from the BV500 program into clinical candidates targeting non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). This agreement involves an upfront payment and research payments totaling CHF 5.0 million to BioVersys, with potential to earn CHF 479 million in milestones upon the exercise of Shionogi's license option.

The collaboration aims to enhance BioVersys' proprietary ansamycin platform, focusing on NTM infections, which affect 250,000 people annually, predominantly in North America and Asia. These infections are difficult to treat due to variable bacterial susceptibility and resistance to conventional treatments.

The BV500 program has shown promising in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple strains of NTM, with no cross-resistance to other treatment classes. This joint effort is set to deliver clinical candidates for further development and potential commercialization by Shionogi worldwide.