Eli Lilly and PRISM BioLab Forge a $660 Million Strategic Alliance in Drug Discovery

Eli Lilly and PRISM BioLab announce a transformative $660 million collaboration to develop small molecule inhibitors for protein-protein interactions using PRISM's PepMetics technology. This strategic venture represents a significant step in drug discovery, aiming to enhance Lilly's drug portfolio by bringing innovative treatments for a variety of diseases to market.

Under this agreement, the two entities will join forces to identify and develop inhibitors for protein-protein interactions (PPIs) targets, a field that has remained largely unexplored due to the complexity of these interactions. PRISM BioLab, renowned for its expertise in designing small molecule inhibitors, will receive upfront payments and could earn up to $660 million in total milestones, along with royalties on net sales.

Lilly has the option to add up to two more targets to the collaboration and is responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of the resulting products.

"We are very excited to enter into this collaboration with Lilly as we apply our technology to expand the field of drug discovery into a novel approach to drug the PPI targets," said Dai Takehara, President and CEO of PRISM Biolab. "Our PepMetics® technology holds promise to change the current paradigm in drug discovery by turning previously undruggable PPIs into targets readily druggable with small molecules. This collaboration with Lilly, an innovative global pharma company, could help us realize this vision and expand the field of druggable targets for the benefit of patients."

A Technological Leap with PepMetics

At the core of this partnership is PRISM's proprietary PepMetics technology. This cutting-edge platform is poised to change the drug discovery landscape by enabling the creation of small molecule inhibitors for previously challenging PPI targets.

Protein-protein interactions are critical in various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and fibrosis. However, targeting these interactions has been a challenge due to their intricate nature. PRISM's PepMetics® technology promises to turn these "undruggable" PPIs into viable targets, potentially leading to breakthrough treatments.

PRISM's Game Changer PepMetics Technology

PepMetics® are a novel class of small molecules that mimic the structures commonly found in PPI interphases. This approach combines proprietary chemistry, knowledge of PPI targets, and AI-supported design. The aim is to produce orally available small molecule inhibitors, offering an alternative to injectable biologics.