BMS, Calibr Ink Worldwide R&D Alliance

Bristol-Myers Squibb and the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr) have entered into a worldwide research collaboration to develop small molecule anti-fibrotic therapies, and an exclusive license agreement for BMS to develop, manufacture and commercialize Calibr’s preclinical compounds from the collaboration. Financial terms were not disclosed.
 
Calibr, a non-profit organization, brings expertise in identifying and optimizing small molecules with anti-fibrotic activity through its high-throughput screening, target identification, and preclinical drug discovery infrastructure. Fibrosis is a strategic area of focus for BMS, with several assets in its portfolio, including BMS-986020, a Phase II lysophosphatidic acid 1 (LPA1) receptor antagonist for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and a CCR2/5 dual antagonist in Phase II development for diabetic kidney disease.
 
“Bristol-Myers Squibb’s collaboration with Calibr further strengthens our Specialty portfolio and advances the company’s fibrotic diseases pipeline with the addition of this promising program,” said Carl Decicco, Ph.D., head of Discovery, R&D, BMS. “Calibr’s innovative discovery program in fibrosis represents an opportunity to develop new treatment approaches for patients.”
 
“Progressing our small molecule anti-fibrotic program toward the clinic represents a critical step in our mission to deliver therapies for unmet medical needs to patients,” said Peter G. Schultz, Ph.D., director and founder of Calibr. “We are delighted to accelerate these efforts by partnering with Bristol-Myers Squibb.”