Catalent Biologics and Roche Announce Research Collaboration

On Jan. 13, 2016 Catalent Biologics and Roche announced a collaboration to develop molecules coupling different therapeutic modalities using SMARTag technology, Catalent’s programmable protein-modification platform. According to the a press announcement from the companies,

Roche will gain non-exclusive access to the SMARTag platform and will have an option to take commercial licenses to develop molecules.The SMARTag platform will be combined with the hydrazino-Pictet-Spengler (HIPS) conjugation platform and will permit evaluation of alternative sites of drug conjugation. 

Roche will pay Catalent an up-front fee of $1 million and provide additional research funding during the initial phase of the collaboration. Catalent has the potential to receive up to $618 million in development and commercial milestones, plus royalties on net sales of products, if Roche pursues commercial licenses and all options are exercised.