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BioLine, Novartis license dry eye agent
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BioLineRx Ltd. signed an exclusive, worldwide agreement with Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd. for the in-licensing of a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for dry eye syndrome, according to a press release.
The project, to be named BL-1230, is the third to be in-licensed under the framework of the company’s strategic collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG for the screening and development of novel drug candidates, according to the release.
BL-1230 is a potent and selective cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CBR2) agonist developed by Raphael Mechoulam, professor at the department of medicinal chemistry and natural products of the faculty of medicine at Hebrew University.
Three ocular inflammatory models have demonstrated that BL-1230 eye drops have significant anti-inflammatory effects, the company said.
BioLineRx reported that it intends to explore the use of this compound in systemic inflammatory conditions in addition to dry eye.
In December 2014, BioLineRx and Novartis Pharma AG entered into a multi-year strategic collaboration to facilitate development and commercialization of Israeli-sourced drug candidates.