"Differing views" see Zealand and Boehringer change collaboration compound

Denmark’s Zealand Pharma (Nasdaq OMX Copenhagen: ZEAL) and German family-owned drug major Boehringer Ingelheim will change the development program involving novel glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and/or obesity with the selection of a new lead compound that will replace ZP2929 under the collaboration between the two companies.

The financial terms agreed previously for ZP2929 will now apply to a new lead program. Zealand will continue the development of ZP2929, a novel glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist intended for once-daily dosing, which is in Phase I development, independently of Boehringer Ingelheim. Zealand has, throughout the collaboration, been responsible for the conduct of the first Phase I activities of ZP2929, and will immediately take full control of the further development of this novel drug candidate. Zealand will update the market before the end of the first quarter of 2014 on expected next-stage clinical development timelines for ZP2929.

David Solomon, president and chief executive of Zealand Pharma, said: “Our collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim has been fruitful, and we both continue to share excitement and strong commitment as to the potential of dual-acting glucagon/GLP-1 agonists as a unique and promising new approach to delivering better healthcare solutions to patients with diabetes and/or obesity. However, on ZP2929 we have differed in our views regarding the appropriate way forward in the development of this drug candidate.”