Implicit licence from Lilly

Brisbane-based unlisted biopharma Implicit Bioscience has purchased a clinical-stage monoclonal antibody aimed at alleviating acute lung injury from global giant Eli Lilly.

The antibody, IC14, was originally developed by Icos Corporation to treat sepsis. It was acquired by Lilly in 2007 and has been through early stage safety and toxicology trials.

Implicit plans to go into Phase II trials with the drug in acute lung injury (ALI), caused by inflammation after acute insults to the body such as trauma, pneumonia and sepsis.

The antibody recognises and blocks the function of the CD14 protein, a co-receptor with Toll-like receptors (TLR) which together trigger the innate immune system. The TLR pathway combats bacterial infection by recognising bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

Lung inflammation in response to immune activation is a primary factor in early pathogenesis of ALI, which can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, organ failure and death.

Implicit has paid cash and stock for the licence to Lilly, which will receive a royalty on future sales.

The company, whose chief scientific officer is Professor Ian Frazer, is also developing a new drug for biological agent infection under a contract with the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency.