XL-protein GmbH, a German biotech company specializing in biopolymers for pharmacokinetic optimization, has announced a worldwide License, Development and Commercialization Agreement with Grifols, a global healthcare company and leading manufacturer of plasma-derived medicines. The partnership focuses on developing a novel, long-acting biopharmaceutical product using XL-protein's proprietary PASylation technology.
Technology Platform and Collaboration Structure
The collaboration centers on XL-protein's clinical-stage PASylation technology, which extends the circulation time of therapeutic proteins in the body. This proprietary platform represents a fully biological approach that can be applied to both approved biopharmaceuticals to create second-generation drugs (biobetters) and innovative therapeutic proteins, peptides, or small molecule drugs.
Under the partnership structure, XL-protein will actively support preclinical development activities while Grifols assumes responsibility for further development, manufacturing, and marketing of the PASylated-enhanced biologic. The technology aims to enable less frequent and lower dosing combined with better patient tolerability for both systemic applications and ocular treatments.
Financial Terms and Commercial Rights
The agreement includes multiple revenue streams for XL-protein, beginning with an upfront payment followed by milestone payments tied to preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial achievements. Additionally, XL-protein will receive tiered royalties on sales from marketed therapeutics resulting from the collaboration. Grifols has secured worldwide exclusive marketing rights under the agreement, though specific financial terms remain undisclosed.
Strategic Implications
Dr. Jörg Schüttrumpf, Grifols Chief Scientific Innovation Officer, emphasized the company's commitment to therapeutic innovation, stating, "Grifols continues to innovate across its therapeutic portfolio to develop new treatments and enhancing existing ones for patients. We look forward to collaborating with XL-protein and combining our advanced scientific efforts in this leading initiative."
Dr. Michaela Gebauer, Managing Director of XL-protein, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential, noting, "We are excited to work with Grifols to enhance the pharmacological properties of their therapeutics." Uli Binder, also Managing Director of XL-protein, highlighted the strategic value, commenting, "This partnership leverages the potential of our PASylation technology, together with other PASylated drugs currently under development, and creates added value for Grifols."
Company Backgrounds
Grifols, founded in Barcelona in 1909, operates as a global healthcare company committed to improving health and well-being worldwide. The company leads in essential plasma-derived medicines and transfusion medicine, developing, producing, and providing innovative healthcare services and solutions in more than 110 countries.
XL-protein operates as a privately owned biotech company based in the Munich area, Germany. The company focuses on exploiting its proprietary PASylation technology to develop biologics with extended half-life and enhanced in vivo activity, positioning itself as a pioneer in biopolymers for pharmacokinetic optimization.
