Shionogi & Co. has entered into a new agreement with Swiss biotech BioVersys to acquire rights to its preclinical antibiotic program, BV500, which is aimed at treating nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections. As part of the deal, the Japanese pharmaceutical firm is making an upfront payment of 5 million Swiss francs ($6.3 million), with the option to further develop the program into clinical-stage drug candidates.
The July 2 announcement outlined that BioVersys could potentially receive up to 479 million Swiss francs (approximately $604 million) in regulatory and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered royalties, should Shionogi choose to advance the BV500 assets into the clinic.
The BV500 program centers on the development of ansamycin-based compounds, a class of antibiotics produced by Actinomycetes bacteria. These compounds act by interfering with RNA synthesis in bacterial cells. According to BioVersys, its researchers in France and Switzerland have created multiple ansamycin derivatives that have demonstrated activity against NTMs. These candidates, the company stated, do not result in cross-resistance with other types of antibiotics.
NTM infections are typically found in individuals who already have underlying pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The most common culprits are Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies. BioVersys reported that these infections affect around 250,000 individuals each year and often require long-term treatment with multiple antibiotics.
John Keller, Ph.D., senior vice president of Shionogi’s R&D supervisory unit, commented, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing innovative treatments for infectious diseases with significant unmet medical needs.” He added that the company intends to leverage its scientific and operational resources to fully realize the potential of the BV500 initiative.
Marc Gitzinger, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of BioVersys, highlighted the strategic benefit of the partnership, stating, “This collaboration reduces research and development risk for BioVersys while preserving financial discipline.” He also noted that the agreement would broaden the reach of BioVersys’ pipeline and facilitate the swift development of their investigational drug candidates.
The deal comes as Shionogi continues to build its infectious disease pipeline. However, the financial scope of the BV500 agreement contrasts with previous moves by the company. In 2022, Shionogi committed $100 million to F2G for the development of the antifungal agent olorofim. That effort has encountered regulatory challenges, with the U.S. FDA rejecting olorofim in 2023. Shionogi remains responsible for the asset’s development in Europe and Asia, while F2G continues efforts in North America.
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