BOSTON — Ono Pharmaceutical has entered into a drug discovery partnership with Mediar Therapeutics to develop antibody-based treatments for fibro-inflammatory diseases.
Under the agreement, the companies will work together to identify and create antibody drug candidates targeting diseases involving both inflammation and fibrosis.
Mediar will lead research activities using its antibody discovery capabilities and fibrosis-focused research platform. Ono will receive exclusive worldwide option rights to select candidates from the collaboration for further development, manufacturing and commercialization.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The partnership will combine Mediar’s expertise in fibrotic biology with Ono’s research experience in immunology and inflammation.
“Fibro-inflammatory diseases remain areas of significant unmet medical need, and we believe biologics innovation is essential to provide meaningful therapeutic advances,” Seishi Katsumata, Executive Vice President of Discovery and Research at Ono, said.
Katsumata said the companies aim to create antibody therapies that could provide new treatment options for patients.
Mediar is developing treatments that directly target myofibroblasts, cells that play a central role in the development and progression of fibrosis.
“This strategic collaboration with Ono is an important milestone for Mediar and reflects the growing recognition that directly targeting the myofibroblast can unlock new therapeutic possibilities in fibrotic diseases,” Mediar CEO Rahul Ballal, Ph.D., said.
Ono’s corporate venture capital arm participated in Mediar’s seed extension financing round in 2021 and has maintained a relationship with the company since then.
Ono said the agreement supports its effort to expand its research pipeline in immunology, inflammation and other areas with significant unmet medical need.
