Ipsen Expands Oncology Partnership with Université de Montréal and IRICoR, Adding Two MAP Kinase-Related Discovery Programs
核心洞察
Ipsen has expanded its five-year collaboration with Université de Montréal and IRICoR (搜索) by adding two new discovery-stage oncology programs targeting pathways complementary to the MAP kinase pathway (搜索).
The partnership expansion marks the second time the collaboration has grown since its 2020 establishment, bringing the total number of active research programs to four.
IRICoR (搜索) will advance compounds to drug candidate stage, after which Ipsen may exercise options to assume global development, manufacturing, and commercialization responsibilities.
Ipsen has announced a significant expansion of its oncology research collaboration with Université de Montréal and IRICoR (搜索), adding two new discovery-stage programs focused on novel inhibition of pathways complementary to the MAP kinase pathway (搜索). The expansion strengthens Ipsen's early development portfolio and represents the second growth phase of a partnership established in 2020.
Partnership Structure and Scope
The new research collaboration and option agreement brings the total number of active research programs between the partners to four. Under the terms of the agreement, IRICoR (搜索)'s interdisciplinary drug discovery scientists are responsible for identifying, synthesizing, and advancing high-quality therapeutic compounds up to the drug candidate stage. Should Ipsen decide to exercise its option, the company would assume all development, manufacturing activities, and commercialization of these drug candidates globally.
"Throughout this five-year partnership, we continue to recognize the scientific innovation the teams at Université de Montréal and IRICoR (搜索) are delivering, now with a total of four active research programs," said David Jenkins, Senior VP, Research and External Innovation at Ipsen. "This new agreement is allowing us to add two new compelling programs to our growing early development portfolio, accelerating bold science where there is the greatest patient need."
Previous Success and Clinical Progress
The collaboration has already demonstrated its potential for clinical translation. In 2023, the partners expanded their agreement to include two other discovery-stage programs and a licensing agreement for an investigational RAF (搜索) inhibitor (IPN01195), which is now in Phase I clinical trials. This success has provided a foundation for the current expansion.
"This new agreement is an exciting evolution to our long-standing partnership with Ipsen, adding two complementary discovery-stage programs which enrich our existing focus on the MAP kinase pathway (搜索)," said Claude Larose, VP Business Development at IRICoR (搜索). "We look forward to working together on these programs, with the hope to replicate the progress seen with IPN01195 and bring more opportunities to patients in the clinic."
Strategic Focus on Unmet Medical Needs
The partnership targets areas of highest unmet medical need in oncology, with both organizations emphasizing their commitment to transforming standards of care. Dr. Marc Therrien, General Director of IRIC (搜索), highlighted the collaboration's focus on addressing critical gaps in cancer treatment.
"We're delighted to further expand our collaboration with Ipsen, accelerating the promise of these two novel oncology programs," said Dr. Therrien. "Focusing on areas where there are the highest unmet needs, together, we hope to transform standards of care for the future."
Institutional Capabilities
IRICoR (搜索) operates as a specialized early-stage drug discovery and commercialization organization dedicated to identifying, financing, and de-risking high-potential academic oncology projects. Integrated within the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC (搜索)) at Université de Montréal, IRICoR combines deep biopharma expertise with industry-level drug discovery capabilities through IRIC's Drug Discovery Unit.
The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, created in 2003, serves as an ultra-modern research hub focused on understanding cancer mechanisms and discovering new, more effective therapies. IRIC (搜索) operates according to a unique model in Canada, with its innovative approach to research already leading to discoveries expected to have significant impact on cancer treatment in the coming years.
Université de Montréal attracts over $775 million in research funding annually, making it one of the top three university research hubs in Canada. The institution has more than 67,000 students, 2,300 professors and researchers, and maintains an active global network of 450,000 alumni.