Hybrigenics achieves research milestone under Servier collaboration

French drug developer Hybrigenics (NYSE-Euronext: ALHYG) says it has achieved first drug discovery milestone in connection with the ongoing research collaboration with independent French drugmaker Servier on ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) and their inhibitors. Hybrigenics has received 330,000 euros ($447,410) in recognition of this achievement.

The research collaboration with Servier was initiated in 2011 (The Pharma Letter October 11, 2011). The deal included an upfront payment of 4 million euros and provision for 9.5 million in milestones for each target successfully leading to registration of a new drug, and to royalties on sales of companion diagnostic kits. Hybrigenics provides its expertise in target identification and validation among the numerous USPs for various therapeutic indications. Hybrigenics also ascertains the in vitro potency and selectivity of USP inhibitors of pharmacological interest.

“The successful achievement of this first milestone validates Hybrigenics’ cutting edge know-how in the field of USPs and its relevance to drug discovery. We look forward to the next steps towards a potential new drug, hand in hand with Servier’s R&D organization,” said Remi Delansorne, Hybrigenics’ chief executive.