Durham-based Chimerix signs licensing deal worth up to $180M plus royalties

DURHAM – Chimerix has struck a licensing and development deal for its experimental antiviral drug brincidofovir with SymBio Pharmaceuticals in a deal that could be worth as much as $180 million plus royalties. The deal follows a licensing agreement in July for the rights to a potential leukemia treatment that cost Chimerix $30 million up front.

The new deal includes a $5 million upfront payment and miletsone payments for further development and commercialization that could total $180 million to Chimerix. Chimerix would receive royalties as well based on worldwide sales.

But there is a limit to the drug’s rights.

SymBio gains “the worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize brincidofovir in all human indications, excluding the prevention and treatment of smallpox,” the companies said.

Durham’s Chimerix pays $30M to secure rights for late-stage leukemia drug

“The structure of this agreement with SymBio allows Chimerix shareholders to participate in the value of ongoing development of brincidofovir through potential future milestone payments and royalties,” said Mike Sherman, CEO of Chimerix since April.

“Furthermore, SymBio’s success in transitioning to a commercial-stage biotechnology company, while simultaneously developing a pipeline of novel molecules in oncology and virology, illustrates the strength of their capability and capacity. SymBio is well positioned to explore worldwide development of brincidofovir beyond smallpox and we are excited by the promise of this partnership.”

Chimerix will continue development of the drug as a smallpox “countermeasure” as well as a treatment targeting acute myeloid leukemia.