Boston Pharmaceuticals announced today a pioneering three-year out-license and option agreement with GlaxoSmithKline PLC. Boston Pharmaceuticals will become a preferred GSK partner for select pre-phase 2 programs. This new agreement builds on the relationship established in 2018 with Boston Pharmaceuticals’ acquisition of five GSK programs.

“This new agreement validates Boston Pharmaceuticals as a trusted development partner with whom pharmaceutical companies can collaborate,” said Robert Armstrong, PhD, CEO of Boston Pharmaceuticals. “GSK has been an excellent partner and we look forward to advancing these pre-phase 2 assets into and through the clinic to evaluate their potential to improve patient lives.”

Initially, GSK will out-license and option two programs to Boston Pharmaceuticals:

GSK3903371 - a monoclonal antibody targeting the Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein (IL1RAP), a tumour-associated antigen driving tumour growth and immunosuppression.
GSK3502421 - an orally available, small-molecule inhibitor for potential neurological disorders that target Receptor Interacting Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (RIPK1), a key component of the TNF-driven inflammation and necroptosis pathway.
“We are pleased to further strengthen our relationship with Boston Pharmaceuticals as they continue to help us translate great science into medicines,” said John Lepore, SVP, Research of GSK. “This agreement makes strong strategic sense as it helps us assess the potential of multiple early-stage programs and focus on progressing our own internal assets while maintaining pipeline optionality for the future.”

Under the agreement, Boston Pharmaceuticals will be responsible for the further development of select programs through proof-of-concept (PoC). Following the completion of PoC studies, GSK will have the option to reacquire each program under pre-agreed terms for subsequent development and worldwide commercialization.

If GSK exercises its repurchase option, Boston Pharmaceuticals will receive a one-time payment, as well as be eligible for approval and sales milestones and royalties. In the event GSK chooses not to reacquire a program, Boston Pharmaceuticals may continue the development and potential commercialization of the program. GSK will then be eligible to receive milestones and royalty payments.