BioLineRx Licenses Two New Therapeutic Candidates for Prostate Cancer and Metabolic Syndrome

Strategic Insights -

BioLineRx has signed in-license agreements to develop and commercialize two new therapeutic candidates, BL-2030 and BL-2040, for the treatment of prostate cancer and metabolic syndrome, respectively. The company has obtained a worldwide exclusive license for the development of both compounds from BioRap Technologies and Yeda Research and Development Company, Ltd. BioLineRx plans to develop these projects through its preclinical development unit, BioLine Innovations Jerusalem, and submit them for funding by the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist.

Key Takeaways:

  • BioLineRx has signed agreements to develop and commercialize two new therapeutic candidates, BL-2030 and BL-2040, for prostate cancer and metabolic syndrome.
  • BL-2030 is a soluble receptor that targets multiple types of cancer, initially developed to treat prostate cancer, with a potential market of $2-5 billion annually.
  • BL-2040 is a small molecule that can be administered orally, developed by a group of researchers headed by David Mirelman of the Weizmann Institute, with a predicted market size of over $13 billion in 2013.
  • The co-occurrence of hypertension and obesity is a major public health concern, affecting 130 million people in the United States alone.
  • Metabolic syndrome is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with a 2003 market size of $9.7 billion in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
  • BioLineRx plans to submit the projects for funding by the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist under the National Biotech Grant received in November of the previous year.
  • The company has partnered with leading research institutes, including the Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences at the Technion and the Weizmann Institute of Science.
  • Morris C. Laster, BioLineRx CEO, has expressed excitement about the potential of the two compounds to impact millions of lives.
  • David Promof, CEO of BioRap, has praised BioLineRx's skilled team and expressed confidence in their ability to develop and market the compounds successfully.

Statistics:

  • The worldwide market for medical therapies of prostate cancer is estimated at between $2 and $5 billion annually.
  • The sales for 2013 are predicted to exceed $13 billion for drugs treating metabolic syndrome in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
  • 130 million people in the United States alone are affected by the co-occurrence of hypertension and obesity.
  • The 2003 market size for drugs treating metabolic syndrome in the U.S., Europe, and Japan was $9.7 billion.
  • In animal models of metabolic syndrome, treatment with BL-2040 prevents weight gain and reduces systolic blood pressure after 2 weeks of treatment.

Sources:

  • BioLineRx, Ltd.
  • BioRap Technologies
  • Yeda Research and Development Company, Ltd.
  • Weizmann Institute of Science
  • Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences at the Technion
  • Health & Medicine Week editors
  • NewsRx.com