Agreement Covers Small Molecule Modulators of the Cellular Proteostasis Network

BOSTON, MA, USA I December 17, 2018 I /PRNewswire/ — Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTI), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of groundbreaking therapies to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) and other diseases caused by dysfunctional protein processing, today announced a worldwide, exclusive license agreement with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, for rights to potential therapeutic small molecule modulators of an undisclosed target within the proteostasis network.  The agreement does not include cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators and is unrelated to PTI’s investigational medicines or other ongoing research programs in cystic fibrosis.

The proteostasis network consists of more than 1,000 proteins organized into pathways that can be regulated or targeted by drugs. Genetic mutations, environmental factors, and aging can cause the proteome to become imbalanced, which can lead to a decrease in protein quality control leading to a wide range of diseases including cancer.

Under the terms of the agreement, in exchange for rights to these small molecule modulators, Proteostasis is eligible to receive upfront and milestone payments of over $100 million. In addition, Proteostasis is eligible to receive tiered royalties on sales of medicines resulting from the license agreement. Genentech is responsible for all further research and development expenses related to the program. Full financial terms, the therapeutic target and disease areas of focus are not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to enter into this agreement with Genentech, an industry leader with a proven record of success in small molecule research and development,” said Meenu Chhabra, President and CEO of Proteostasis Therapeutics. “PTI’s platform revolves around the modulation of protein homeostasis pathways within the cell, either restoring its normal state or enhancing its capacity to control or delay the progression of disease.  We look forward to working with Genentech to leverage discoveries from this platform to potentially address unmet medical needs.”

About Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc.

Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing small molecule therapeutics to treat cystic fibrosis and other diseases caused by dysfunctional protein processing. Headquartered in Boston, MA, the Proteostasis Therapeutics team focuses on identifying therapies that restore protein function. For more information, visit www.proteostasis.com.

SOURCE: Proteostasis Therapeutics