Cerulean Pharma, Calando sign drug delivery licensing deal

By Mass High Tech staff

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Cerulean Pharma Inc., a biopharmaceutical firm in Cambridge, has teamed up with Calando Pharmaceuticals Inc. in a licensing agreement over Calando’s cyclodextrin drug delivery technology.

As a result of the deal, Cerulean is granted exclusive global rights to create and market drug treatments using the cyclodextrin co-polymer-based drug delivery technology; the company also has exclusive rights to develop and sell IT-101, a Calando anti-cancer nanoparticle. Cerulean Pharma will pay Calando upfront costs of an undisclosed amount, as well as sales royalties and development and sales milestones.

The drug delivery technology at the center of the license agreement stems from technology originally created by chemical engineering researcher Mark Davis and licensed from California Institute of Technology. And the nanoparticle, IT-101, has recently completed a successful Phase 1 clinical trial, Calando officials reported.

Calando Pharmaceuticals is a subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corp., a nanotechnology firm focused on the life sciences, electronics and energy industries.

Founded in 2006, Cerulean’s nanotechnology-based drugs are designed to treat cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story misidentified the nature of the licensing agreement. The correct nature of the deal relates to Calando Pharmaceuticals' cyclodextrin drug delivery technology.

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