Zealand, Generate Partner on Multispecific Metabolic Proteins

Zealand Pharma has partnered with Generate Biomedicines to design and develop multispecific protein therapeutics for obesity and other metabolic diseases. Fierce Biotech reported that Generate will use its AI-enabled platform for the collaboration, with Zealand expanding its metabolic research toolbox beyond peptide and small-molecule capabilities.

Generate to Lead Early Research

According to Fierce Biotech, Generate will oversee research through lead-candidate selection. Zealand will then assume responsibility for clinical development and work beyond that stage.

The collaboration starts with two partnered programs. Fierce Biotech reported that Zealand will provide Generate with an upfront payment, early preclinical milestones and potential milestones tied to development, regulatory and commercial achievements. The agreement also includes tiered royalties on worldwide net sales of commercial products resulting from the collaboration.

Zealand Chief Scientific Officer Utpal Singh said in a release cited by Fierce Biotech that the partnership expands the company’s toolbox to include proteins alongside its small-molecule and peptide capabilities, opening approaches for polypharmacology in metabolic health.

Metabolic Pipeline Adds a Protein Modality

Fierce Biotech described obesity and other metabolic diseases as the backbone of Zealand’s pipeline. The publisher reported that Zealand’s obesity portfolio includes a Roche-partnered amylin analog and a Boehringer Ingelheim-partnered glucagon/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist, both in phase 3.

The Generate alliance follows Zealand’s access to OTR Therapeutics’ small-molecule platform in December, according to Fierce Biotech. The new partnership marks Zealand’s move into protein drug development through an external collaboration.

Generate’s Broader Protein Work

Generate’s internal pipeline focuses on immunology, inflammation and oncology, Fierce Biotech reported. Its most advanced asset, GB-0895, is an anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody in phase 3 development for severe asthma.

Fierce Biotech also noted that Amgen and Novartis have partnered with Generate to develop protein therapeutics in multiple disease areas. The Zealand agreement applies Generate’s platform to metabolic health and multispecific protein candidates.