Ligand Announces Multi-Program LTP Technology Licensing Agreement with Nucorion Pharmaceuticals

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announces the signing of a license agreement for three programs utilizing Ligand’s LTP (Liver Targeting Prodrug) technology with Nucorion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a venture-funded biotechnology company focused on developing anti-cancer and anti-viral agents initially directed to China.

• Ligand’s LTP technology is a novel prodrug technology platform designed to selectively deliver a range of active pharmaceutical agents to the liver. By directly targeting the liver, the goal is to maximize efficacy and minimize off-target drug toxicities.
• The preclinical programs under this license include: NUC-202, a targeted anti-cancer analog for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma; NUC-404, a targeted nucleotide analog for the treatment of hepatitis B; and NUC-101, a targeted nucleotide analog for the treatment of hepatitis C.
• Ligand is eligible to receive milestone payments as well as royalties ranging from 5% to 9% on net sales of products developed by Nucorion under this agreement.
• Ligand was a co-founder of Nucorion along with Dr. Zucai Suo, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The Ohio State University and a recognized academic leader in the fields of nucleic acid enzymology, viral replication and rational drug design.
• Nucorion was funded with $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Silver River International Investment Ltd. Ligand invested $1 million in the venture financing.

“LTP is a promising technology platform developed by Ligand with applicability in a range of hepatic and hepatic-mediated indications. Given the increased focus on liver-related health by drug companies and the substantial medical need in China for liver-related medicines, we are pleased to participate in this new venture and be partners with highly respected Chinese venture investors affiliated with multi-billion dollar funds,” said John Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Ligand. “Along with Captisol and OmniAb, LTP has the potential to contribute to the growth of Ligand’s portfolio and technology offerings.”

James Gu, Partner at Silver River, stated, “The LTP technology is especially well-suited for pursuing these diseases in China. Liver disease is a growing and major cause of death in China. The LTP technology targets the liver and creates a key differentiating factor for Nucorion and provides us with a promising product pipeline.”

About Liver Disease in China

Liver disease is a growing and major cause of death in China, and has a substantial impact on the global burden of diseases. There are more than 90 million chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in China, accounting for about one-third of all HBV chronic carriers in the world. It is estimated that 40 million people in China are infected with the hepatitis C virus, and that 85% of the carriers may be unaware of their infection status. Nearly 400,000 people die from liver cancer every year in China, which accounts for more than half of the deaths from liver cancer worldwide.

About the LTP Technology Platform

Ligand’s LTP technology is a novel prodrug technology platform designed to selectively deliver a range of active pharmaceutical agents to the liver. It works by chemically modifying a biologically active molecule into an inactive prodrug form that will be administered and later activated in the liver by certain enzymes mainly expressed in the liver. The technology can be used to improve activity and/or safety of an existing drug or to develop new agents to treat liver diseases or diseases caused by homeostasis imbalance of circulating biomolecules controlled by the liver such as lipids and glucose, and is especially applicable to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Ligand’s LTP technology has expanded chemical class applicability and also removes certain by-products as compared to other targeting technologies.