Celltrion inks deal with U.S. firm for joint research on oral antibody medicine

[Source : Celltrion]

South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion Inc. said Monday it has signed a contract with Rani Therapeutics, a U.S. biotech firm, to cooperate in joint research of an oral antibody medicine under the project name of RT-111.

RT-111 is Rani’s project to develop ustekinumab for oral treatment. Ustekinumab is sold under the name of Stelara by Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Rani Therapeutics has the technology to convert intravenous and subcutaneous injection-type proteins and antibody therapies into oral medicines.

Under the deal, the Korean company will exclusively provide its biosimilar CT-P43 referencing Stelara to Rani‘s clinical and non-clinical tests for RT-111 and have a preferential right to develop and sell the drug in the global market. Celltrion recently demonstrated the efficacy and safety of CT-P43 in a global phase 3 clinical trial.

Celltrion said the new platform is expected to bring innovation and diversity to future pipelines.