Yissum and BioLineRx in licensing deal

Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, and BioLineRx, a clinical-stage drug development firm, have signed a worldwide exclusive license agreement for the latter to develop and commercialize BL-5040, a new anti-hormone for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Rights to the compound were also obtained from Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Financial terms of the license were not disclosed.

BL-5040 is a novel drug candidate that utilizes a mutated version of leptin acting as an antagonist with anti-inflammatory properties. Leptin is a hormone that has an important role in regulating inflammation immunity, as well as appetite control. BL-5040 binds tightly to the leptin receptor and thus blocks the binding of leptin. It has been shown that the agent can block inflammation in animal models without discernible side-effects. BioLineRx will be developing BL-5040 to treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as colitis and Crohn's disease.

Approximately one in 500 people suffer from IBD. The condition has few specific treatments available, with sales of existing drugs estimated at $1.8 billion, but none of the current treatments fully addresses patients' needs.