19 December 2014 - Healthcare company Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) and Adocia (Euronext Paris:FR0011184241) jointly disclosed on Thursday a worldwide licensing collaboration to develop an ultra-rapid insulin, called BioChaperone Lispro, for treatment in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

BioChaperone Lispro, which is currently in Phase Ib studies, relies on Adocia's proprietary BioChaperone technology.

Lilly and Adocia will develop BioChaperone Lispro with the goal of optimising glucose levels during and after meals. Its potential benefits include greater flexibility in the timing of insulin injections, lower variability of post-meal blood glucose elevations, lower rates of hypoglycemia and better overall glucose control.

Under the agreement, Lilly will oversee the future development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of BioChaperone Lispro. Lilly shall reimburse Adocia for certain research and development expenses. A concentrated formulation of BioChaperone Lispro is also part of the agreement.

In the agreement, the total up-front and milestone payments could reach up to USD570m. Adocia will receive a total upfront fee of USD50m with the potential for future payments of up to USD280m if the product reaches certain development and regulatory milestones and sales milestones up to USD240m, as well as tiered sales royalties.

Adocia retains the right to develop and license its insulin programmes unrelated to prandial ultra-rapid insulin.