Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Decibel Therapeutics Inc. announced a special collaboration to discover and develop new potential therapeutics to protect, repair and restore hearing.
Decibel says it is building the world's first comprehensive, integrated drug discovery, translational research and drug development platform for hearing loss and tinnitus. Regeneron's capabilities in genetics research, drug discovery and antibody development and manufacturing can now be used in synergy with Decibel's efforts in hearing loss.
The collaboration has an innovative structure where Regeneron will provide Decibel with broad access to its proprietary suite of technologies to support Decibel's goal of discovering important new medicines for hearing. Regeneron will also directly participate in and provide financial support for Decibel's research and development efforts, both through R&D funding payments and a strategic equity investment in Decibel. Decibel retains worldwide development and commercialization rights to any products discovered in the collaboration and will pay Regeneron tiered royalties based on net sales.
"This stands out as one of the most unique collaborations that I have seen in my 30-plus years in biotech," said Kevin Starr, Co-Founder and Partner at Third Rock Ventures and Chairman of Decibel. "The scope of the collaboration in research and discovery, as well as the retention by the younger biotechnology company to all commercial rights worldwide, are unprecedented in my experience. It positions Decibel to lead the way in developing meaningful therapeutics for hearing."