Zymeworks Reports Second Investigational New Drug (IND)-Submission Milestone Achieved in Lilly Collaboration

Zymeworks reported the achievement of a new development milestone in its collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company. In accordance with Zymeworks’ 2014 licensing and collaboration agreement with Lilly, Zymeworks will receive a milestone payment of US$8.0 million for Lilly’s submission of an IND application for an immuno-oncology bispecific antibody enabled by Zymeworks’ proprietary Azymetric platform.

“We believe that Lilly’s submission of a second IND on an Azymetric bispecific drug candidate within a six-month period is further evidence that Zymeworks’ platform technologies are enabling our global pharmaceutical partners to accelerate drug development into the clinic,” said Ali Tehrani, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks. “As one of our first collaborators, Lilly’s successes demonstrate the ease of use, productivity and promise of our proprietary platforms, especially for advancing therapeutic programs into the clinical setting.”

Under its two licensing and collaboration agreements with Lilly, Zymeworks has granted Lilly worldwide licenses to research, develop, and commercialize multiple bispecific therapeutics directed towards Lilly’s targets. To date, Zymeworks has received multiple equity investments, an upfront licensing payment and multiple research and development milestone payments under these agreements. Zymeworks is also eligible to receive further development and commercial milestone payments and tiered royalties on global product sales.