Boehringer Ingelheim and Circle Pharma partner on new precision cancer treatment research

Boehringer Ingelheim and Circle Pharma have embarked on a new research collaboration and license agreement aimed at developing a pioneering cyclin inhibitor that could halt the proliferation of cancer cells. This partnership is particularly significant for those battling challenging cancer types.

The uncontrolled growth of cells is a hallmark of most tumors and is central to the development of cancer. Genetic mutations or amplifications in genes that govern cell division often contribute to the malignancy of solid tumors. Boehringer Ingelheim is focusing on the proteins involved in cell division, a strategy that holds promise for new cancer therapies.

Traditional methods targeting cyclin-dependent kinases often face limitations due to low selectivity and high toxicity. Circle Pharma has presented a potential solution to these issues by creating macrocycle therapies that precisely inhibit cyclins, the proteins responsible for regulating cell division.

Clive R. Wood, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Global Head of Discovery Research at Boehringer Ingelheim, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "We’re thrilled to join forces with Circle’s scientists to develop an innovative cancer treatment based on their proprietary macrocycle platform molecules. This collaboration aligns with our mission to transform the lives of cancer patients and complements our oncology research portfolio, reinforcing our commitment to tackling challenging targets."

David Earp, Ph.D., JD, CEO of Circle Pharma, added, "With our lead program, CID-078, a Cyclin A/B RxL inhibitor, we have shown the capabilities of our MXMO™ platform to produce oral macrocycles for targets previously deemed undruggable. Partnering with Boehringer Ingelheim allows us to leverage our platform against another difficult cyclin target, potentially addressing significant unmet needs in cancer treatment."

This collaboration represents a crucial step towards Boehringer Ingelheim’s goal of revolutionizing cancer care. It strengthens their oncology pipeline, which includes investigational therapies directed at cancer cells and immuno-oncology treatments, allowing for smart combination therapies that could provide the most benefit to cancer patients.

As part of the agreement, Circle Pharma will receive an upfront payment, along with potential development, regulatory, and sales milestone payments that could total up to USD 607 million.

Boehringer Ingelheim has a clear aspiration to transform cancer patients' lives by delivering significant advances with the ultimate goal of curing various cancers. Their dedication to scientific innovation is evident in their extensive pipeline of cancer cell-directed and immuno-oncology investigational therapies, as well as the strategic combination of these approaches. Boehringer Ingelheim endeavors to create a collaborative research network to harness diverse expertise, addressing some of the most challenging yet promising areas of cancer research. For Boehringer Ingelheim, cancer care is a personal mission, both for the present and future generations.

Established in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to human and animal health. They are among the top investors in research and development, focusing on innovative therapies that improve and extend lives in areas of significant medical need. The company takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability throughout its value chain, with more than 53,500 employees serving over 130 markets globally to build a healthier, more sustainable future.

Circle Pharma, based in South San Francisco, is at the forefront of discovering and developing intrinsically cell-permeable macrocycles that can be delivered through various routes, including oral administration. Their MXMO™ platform integrates structure-based drug design and advanced synthetic chemistry to develop a new generation of macrocycle therapies for challenging targets, addressing unmet clinical needs. Circle Pharma’s primary focus is on cyclins, which are critical regulators of cell cycle progression and key drivers in many cancers. Their lead candidate, CID-078, is currently in clinical trials as part of a growing pipeline of innovative macrocycle therapeutics.