Ono Pharmaceuticals Partners With Monash University To Pioneer Next Generation of Anti-GPCR Antibodies For Autoimmune Diseases

Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (based in Osaka, Japan, under the leadership of President Toichi Takino) has unveiled a fresh partnership and research collaboration with Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. This new agreement focuses on the discovery and development of antibodies that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The goal is to create innovative treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

In January 2023, Ono entered into an agreement with Monash University to collaborate on the discovery and creation of anti-GPCR antibodies. The new agreement expands this collaboration to focus on antibodies targeting a different GPCR therapeutic target. Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute will spearhead this new antibody discovery initiative, targeting traditionally difficult GPCRs.

Seishi Katsumata, Corporate Officer / Executive Director, Discovery & Research of Ono, said in a statement, “Through the earlier collaboration, we renewed our recognition that Monash University has the capability in the creation of anti-GPCR antibodies using its sophisticated expertise and technologies that can overcome difficult challenges. Through this new collaboration with Monash University, we expect to discover innovative antibodies against a different GPCR target that fulfil unmet medical needs in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, different from the diseases in the existing agreement.”

Ono will have exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize a therapeutic product based on the antibodies selected from this campaign. Under the terms of the agreement, Ono will make an upfront payment and provide research funding during the option period. Should Ono exercise its option, it will also pay Monash University milestone payments for clinical development progress and sales, along with royalties on future net sales.

“We are excited to sign a new agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical and continue combining our expertise in anti-GPCR antibody discovery with their exceptional capabilities in drug development. The strength of the collaboration forged over the last eighteen months has led to the acceleration of treatments across a variety of diseases,” said Associate Professor Remy Robert, Laboratory Head at Monash.

Dr Alison Greenway, Senior Director Enterprise and Partnerships, Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, also made a remark, “We are delighted to continue working with Ono Pharmaceutical as the collaboration has been a great example of discovery research joining forces with a major industry partner in order to accelerate the development of new therapies.”