vTv Therapeutics inks licensing deal for PPAR-delta program

Hot on the heels of an out-licensing deal for China, vTv Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VTVT) has entered into a global agreement with Reneo Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held biotech company focused on developing treatments for orphan diseases.

The agreement grants San Diego-based Reneo exclusive worldwide rights to research, develop and commercialize vTv’s selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-delta) program. Under the terms of the accord, vTv will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and will be eligible to receive future development and commercialization milestones as well as royalties on sales of approved products. vTv will also receive shares of Reneo's common stock.

HPP593, a functionally selective PPAR-delta agonist, has demonstrated a lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in animal models and humans, with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. HPP593 has also demonstrated an anti-diabetic effect in several animal models of type 2 diabetes. Phase I studies have shown HPP593 to be well tolerated.