Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan; President and CEO: Gyo Sagara; “Ono”) today announced that it has entered an option and research collaboration agreement with Monash University (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) to discover and develop antibodies targeting at G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in order to create novel therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

 Under the terms of the agreement, Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute will lead the antibody discovery campaign to target two GPCRs traditionally hard to target. Ono will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize some existing antibodies Monash has developed, in addition to any antibodies arising out of the drug discovery collaboration. Ono will make an upfront payment to Monash University with the research funding during the option period. If Ono exercises its option under the agreement, Ono will pay to Monash University milestones on progress of clinical development and sales, as well as royalties based on future net sales.

 “We appreciate Monash University’s sophisticated technologies for antibody discovery which enables the creation of therapeutic antibodies using monoclonal antibodies against GPCR,” said Toichi Takino, Senior Executive Officer / Executive Director, Discovery & Research of Ono. “Through this collaboration with Monash University, we expect to increase the efficiency of finding new drug candidates that fulfil unmet medical needs in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.”

 “We are excited to partner with Ono Pharmaceutical and combine our expertise in anti-GPCR antibody discovery with Ono’s exceptional capabilities in drug development,” said Dr Remy Robert, Senior Research Fellow, at Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute. “We look forward to working with Ono Pharmaceutical to accelerate treatments across a variety of diseases.”

 “We welcome this collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical and it is a great example of discovery research joining forces with a major industry partner in order to accelerate the development of new therapies,” said Katherine Nielsen, Senior Director, of Monash Innovation^*.

• Monash Innovation, part of the Enterprise portfolio at Monash University, facilitated the partnership between Monash University and Ono Pharmaceutical.

About GPCRs

 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise the largest class of membrane receptors and amount to approximately 800 in the human genome. GPCR-targeted therapeutics comprise major drug classes in many disease areas.

About Monash University

 Monash University is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation. With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia, and Italy, it is one of the most internationalized Australian universities.
 Monash University has been translating game-changing research into impactful commercial outcomes for more than 60 years. We’re doing the heavy lifting in commercialisation and fostering a talent pool that is powering Australian industries and economy. Monash spin-outs are developing sustainable solutions to global challenges like climate change and advancing the human species through scientific breakthroughs in IVF, cardiovascular disease, mental health and more. For further information, please visit at https://www.monash.edu/ .