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Cipher Pharmaceuticals acquires Melanovus Oncology's assets

Cipher Pharmaceuticals announced its acquisition of the assets of Melanovus Oncology, including seven preclinical compounds for treating melanoma and other cancers.

Melanovus had an exclusive global license to a library of compounds and related intellectual property from the Penn State Research Foundation, according to a press release. The compounds are based on work done by Gavin Robertson, PhD, professor of pharmacology, pathology, dermatology and surgery at Penn State University and director of the Penn State Hershey Melanoma Center, and his team during more than a decade, the release stated.

Nanolipolee-007, a liposomal formulation of a plant-derived compound that is a first-in-class cholesterol-transport inhibitor, has demonstrated anti-proliferative activity again certain melanoma cell lines, including BRAF-resistant strains, and is Melanovus’ lead product. It has been tested in animal studies thus far. Cipher reported it plans to pursue preclinical studies of Nanolipolee-007 leading to investigational new drug status with the FDA.

Cipher made an upfront payment of $500,000 to Melanovus, as well as payments of certain intellectual property expenses related to patent prosecution and maintenance as part of the transaction, according to the release.

Reference: www.cipherpharma.com.