Simcere Pharma & BMS To Develop CETP Inhibitor BMS-795311

BMS and Simcere Pharma have agreed to co-develop BMS-795311, a preclinical small molecule inhibitor of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein.

AsianScientist (Dec. 15, 2011) – Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Simcere Pharmaceutical Group today announced an expanded strategic partnership to include a second collaboration on a cardiovascular compound.

The companies agreed to co-develop BMS-795311, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s preclinical small molecule inhibitor of the Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP). Inhibiting CETP could potentially raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels and help prevent cardiovascular disease.

This collaboration is expected to accelerate the delivery of clinical Phase IIa proof-of-concept by leveraging the complementary strengths of a premier Chinese pharmaceutical company and a global biopharmaceutical company.

Under the terms of the agreement, Simcere will receive exclusive rights to develop and commercialize BMS-795311 in China while Bristol-Myers Squibb will retain exclusive rights in all other markets.

Simcere will run and fund initial development work, and the two companies will jointly explore the potential of BMS-795311 to treat and prevent progression of cardiovascular disease. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Simcere was the first company with which Bristol-Myers Squibb created a partnership under our Oyster Strategy to seed companies in key markets with promising investigational medicines of continued interest from our early pipeline,” said Dr. Francis Cuss, SVP Research, Bristol-Myers Squibb.

“That partnership, focused on an oncology compound, has gone extremely well and we are excited to expand our relationship to include a second collaboration in another therapeutic area. Working together we are building on the strengths of both organizations to develop potential medicines and help patients,” he said.

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Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb.
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