Peptris Technologies, an AI-powered preclinical drug discovery company, has announced a licensing agreement with Revio Therapeutics for its AI-discovered drug candidate, PEPR124 (RT001) on Monday. This marks India’s first AI-discovered drug candidate to be out-licensed, according to the company.
Under the deal, Peptris Technologies is licensing PEPR124 (RT001), a preclinical-stage drug, to Revio Therapeutics for further development in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“The agreement represents an important step in our mission to leverage AI-driven drug discovery for high-impact therapeutic advancements,” said Peptris in an official statement. Furthermore, Peptris has a pipeline of advanced preclinical assets in Rare Diseases, Alopecia, Inflammation and Oncology.
The global market for DMD therapies is estimated to be worth over $3 billion. PEPR124 (RT001), discovered through Peptris’ AI platform, has shown promising results in preclinical studies. It is described as a repurposed, mutation-agnostic drug with a strong safety profile that could potentially treat not only DMD but other muscular dystrophies as well.
Revio Therapeutics will handle commercialisation of PEPR124 (RT001) in all markets except the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), where Peptris will retain rights.
“Given its strong safety record from the previous approved indication and the current preclinical efficacy in DMD, RT001 is well-positioned as a Phase 2-ready asset for development via the 505(b)(2)/hybrid pathway,” Revio mentioned in an official statement. “We will discuss our development plans with the US FDA later this year at a pre-IND meeting and apply for an orphan drug designation. If these results translate clinically, RT001 could address this need efficiently.”
