
Duhn Therapeutics signs global license agreement with OM Pharma

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Duhn Therapeutics SAS, a clinical-stage company co-founded by Landmark BioVentures AG, and OM Pharma SA, a global biopharmaceutical company and leader in bacterial lysate products, announce an exclusive licence agreement to advance the development and commercialization of lead candidate DHN198, previously OM-174, in a pipeline of lipid-based cancer immunotherapies.
Duhn Therapeutics, with executive management support from Landmark BioVentures, an integrated and agile biotech hub-and-spoke company, will advance its lead program, DHN198, for solid cancers associated with or resulting from chronic non-resolved immunosuppressive inflammation.
Within the agreement, OM Pharma grants Duhn Therapeutics global and exclusive rights to develop and commercialize DHN198. OM Pharma will be entitled to equity rights in Duhn Therapeutics, as well as up to double-digit royalties on net sales. OM Pharma may also receive up to CHF 100 million (USD 116.5M) in development and commercial milestones from Duhn Therapeutics.
“OM Pharma is thrilled to see that a small molecule originating from our research into immunomodulation by bacterial lysates has a chance to demonstrate its potential for people with cancer,” said Roch Ogier, CEO of OM Pharma. “I look forward to seeing the next steps for DHN198 as Duhn Therapeutics takes over the baton of development.”
DHN198, previously OM-174, is a synthetic lipid analogue, originally discovered as part of OM Pharma’s foundational research on bacterial lysates. DHN198 is a clinical-stage, dual mechanism of action small molecule, acting as a TLR4 antagonist and TLR2 agonist with unique immunomodulating properties. In a phase 1 clinical trial with cohorts of healthy volunteers and refractory tumor patients, DHN198 showed it was well tolerated and had a favorable safety profile, with encouraging efficacy signals in patients.
The development and commercialization of DHN198 will be co-led by Duhn Therapeutics and Landmark BioVentures; with Jacques Bauer, PhD, a partner in Landmark BioVentures, serving as chief scientific officer, and Zaki Sellam, CEO of Landmark BioVentures, as executive chairman.
As the former R&D head at OM Pharma, deeply involved in the discovery and development of this small molecule, I have always believed in DHN198’s unique and specific dual TLR-tuned mechanism of action,” said Bauer. “I’m excited to continue advancing this program for solid cancers associated with or resulting from chronic non-resolved immunosuppressive inflammation and expanding our pipeline of additional lipid-based immunotherapies beyond DHN198.”
DHN198 is a groundbreaking drug with a unique mechanism that could redefine cancer treatment,” added Sellam. “We’re eager to advance this promising clinical-stage program and deeply appreciate the trust OM Pharma has placed in us.”
➡️ Source: Press Release