Baxter unit collaborates on forming new biotech firm Vitesse Biologics

Baxter Ventures, the venture arm of Baxter International (NYSE:BAX), the Mayo Clinic and Velocity Pharmaceutical Development (VPD) have announced the formation of Vitesse Biologics, which will focus on early-stage R&D.

Vitesse is a unique collaboration model initiated by Baxter Ventures to focus on the development of antibody and protein-based therapeutics in the areas of immunology, hematology and oncology. Following the spin-off of Baxter BioScience as Baxalta Inc, anticipated to take place by mid-2015, the Vitesse relationship will be managed by the planned venture arm, Baxalta Ventures, for the new company.

The collaboration model, which represents a new method of drug development, was designed to incent each partner to advance promising therapies quickly through the development process. Each partner will provide its recognized expertise to enhance the target selection, target optimization, expression and product development process. Baxter BioScience will provide global commercialization, antibody and protein development and manufacturing capabilities; Mayo Clinic researchers will execute the Phase I clinical trials; VPD will be responsible for target identification, selection of early stage drug candidates and will lead the design and execution of pre-clinical and clinical protocols.