NEW YORK – Biotechnology company Inotrem announced Tuesday it has entered a worldwide licensing agreement with Roche Diagnostics to commercialize a mechanism-based companion diagnostic test using soluble plasma protein sTREM-1.
The test will help identify which patients are more likely to respond to Inotrem's treatment, nangibotide, a TREM-1 inhibitor.
The companies have been jointly developing an in vitro assay for measurement of sTREM-1 in plasma samples of septic shock patients since 2017. Measurements of the protein in blood can indicate the severity and outcome prediction of septic shock patients, Inotrem said in a statement.
Paris-based Inotrem specializes in the development of immunotherapies targeting the TREM-1 pathway with potential applications for acute and chronic inflammatory syndromes. The company recently began its Phase IIb study in septic shock patients to demonstrate the effectiveness of its lead compound nangibotide. The study also aims to confirm the value of soluble TREM-1 as a companion diagnostic test to identify patients likely to benefit from nangibotide.
"Roche Diagnostics' licensing agreement is an important milestone for us: it is a strong endorsement of Inotrem's innovative approach targeting the TREM-1 pathway, and it allows us to further focus on our core mission: the development of a nangibotide-based septic shock treatment," said Inotrem CEO Jean-Jacques Garuad.
Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.