Catalent Biologics Announces Research Collaboration with Roche on SMARTag™ Technology

• Collaboration focuses on development of novel molecules using SMARTag technology to couple different therapeutic modalities
• Roche will have option for commercial licenses to develop such molecules after initial phase of the collaboration

January 13, 2016 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

SOMERSET, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Catalent, Inc. (NYSE:CTLT), the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products today announced, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Redwood Bioscience, Inc., a research collaboration with Roche to develop next-generation molecules coupling different therapeutic modalities using Catalent's proprietary SMARTag™ technology.

Roche will gain non-exclusive access to the SMARTag platform and will have an option to take commercial licenses to develop molecules directed to a defined number of targets. Use of SMARTag, Catalent's programmable protein-modification technology, combined with the highly stable hydrazino-Pictet-Spengler (HIPS™) conjugation platform, will permit evaluation of alternative sites of drug conjugation so that Roche may develop molecules optimized for efficacy, safety and stability. Roche will pay Catalent an up-front fee of $1 million and provide additional research funding during the initial phase of the collaboration. Catalent has the potential to receive up to $618 million in development and commercial milestones, plus royalties on net sales of products, if Roche pursues commercial licenses and all options are exercised.

"Roche is a pioneer and leader in biologics for oncology and beyond, and we look forward to working with the Roche team to support development of their next generation of medicines," commented Mike Riley, Catalent Biologics' Vice President/General Manager. "Our goal is to combine our differentiated SMARTag technology with Roche's expertise to create new transformational treatments."

About the SMARTag Technology

The proprietary SMARTag site-specific protein-modification and linker technologies were developed by Redwood Bioscience to enable the generation of homogenous bioconjugates engineered to enhance potency, safety and stability. The technology employs natural post-translational modifications found in human cells to create one or more aldehyde tags at designated sites on protein molecules. These chemical "handles'' are then stably conjugated to payloads (e.g. cytotoxic or effector) to prevent their systemic release. The SMARTag platform provides precise payload positioning, stable, site-specific conjugation and defined stoichiometry of drug–protein ratios. The control afforded by the technology enables identification of superior drugs from libraries of differentially designed conjugates. Catalent acquired Redwood Bioscience in 2014.

About Catalent

Catalent, Inc. is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products. With over 80 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs approximately 8,700 people, including approximately 1,000 scientists and technicians, at 31 facilities across 5 continents, and in fiscal 2015 generated more than $1.8 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, N.J. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.

More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied.™

Contacts

For Catalent, Inc. Investors: Thomas Castellano, 732-537-6325 [email protected] or Media: Chris Halling, +44 (0)7580 041073 [email protected] or Richard Kerns, +44 (0) 161 728 5880 [email protected]