Hybrigenics & Servier Ink Research Pact

Two French pharmaceutical companies sign a licensing and research agreement for deubiquitinating enzymes in several therapeutic areas.

French pharmaceutical firms Hybrigenics and Servier have entered into a three-year licensing and research agreement for deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) applied to oncology, neurology, psychiatry, rheumatology, ophthalmology, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Under the agreement, Hybrigenics is to identify and validate new DUBs in these therapeutic areas. The firm will also screen for potential drugs able to modulate four undisclosed targets, already selected as a DUB priority. Its activities may also lead to the discovery of companion diagnostics.

Hybrigenics will receive an upfront payment and research funding totalling €4m. Depending on the achievement of milestones, Hybrigenics is further eligible to receive up to €9.5m for each of the targets resulting