Basilea announces licensing of a novel first-in-class antifungal program from Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd has entered into a licensing agreement with the U.S.-based company, Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center, Inc. (FCCDC), for a preclinical program on novel first-in-class broad spectrum antifungals with activity against difficult-to-treat mold infections.

Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Chief Scientific Officer of Basilea, said: “This agreement shows our commitment to implementing our new corporate strategy, with a future focus on anti-infectives. The profile and the broad antifungal activity of the lead compound shown in preclinical studies are very promising. We will now focus on completing the preclinical profiling of the lead compound, which will be decisive for the development strategy and positioning of this new class of antifungal agents.”

Basilea said that, under the terms of the agreement, is granted an exclusive worldwide license to FCCDC’s antifungal program. FCCDC receives an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible for further payments, upon the achievement of predefined development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as for tiered royalties on net sales.

This transaction has no impact on Basilea’s financial guidance for 2022, provided on February 15, 2022, the company said.