Mediar and Ono to Develop Novel Treatments Targeting Fibro-Inflammatory Diseases

Editor’s Take: The possibility of new paths for therapy in these types of diseases could prove to have even more broad applications.

Mediar Therapeutics and Ono Pharmaceutical have a collaboration and option agreement on novel treatments for fibro-inflammatory diseases. These diseases, characterized by myofibroblast activation, scarring, inflammation, or tissue remodeling, can prompt organ failure and related issues. As a clinical-stage biotechnology company, Mediar has worked on first-in-class therapies to stop and/or reverse fibrosis.

How Mediar, Ono Pact Works

In the partnership, Ono will lean on Mediar’s discovery platform that focuses on fibrosis, myofibroblast expertise, and pathway understanding. Ono holds the exclusive option to license worldwide development and commercial rights for programs.

Mediar also receives an upfront payment in this deal, while Ono supports R&D costs.

“This strategic collaboration with Ono is an important milestone for Mediar,” CEO Rahul Ballal, PhD, said. Ballal noted the association between the two parties dates back to at least 2021.

“[This] reflects the growing recognition that directly targeting the myofibroblast can unlock new therapeutic possibilities in fibrotic diseases,” Ballal continued. “By using our expertise in fibrosis discovery, we’re positioned to advance new potential therapies across a broad range of diseases. We are excited to start work with Ono Pharma after longstanding support from Ono Venture Investment.”

Why Fibro-Inflammatory Need is Urgent

“Fibro-inflammatory diseases remain areas of significant unmet medical need,” Seishi Katsumata, Ono Corporate Officer/Executive Vice President, Discovery & Research, said. “We believe biologics innovation is essential to provide meaningful therapeutic advances. Mediar has established deep scientific expertise in fibrosis and antibody discovery. By combining Mediar’s capabilities with Ono’s experience in immunology and inflammation research area, we aim to create novel antibody therapeutics.”

Separate from this collaboration, Mediar will continue to advance its portfolio of novel programs targeting disorders of a similar kind. These include an antibody in Phase II development in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company.