Bayer and Arvinas, Inc. to develop novel proteolysis-targeting chimera candidates for humans and plants

Bayer announced a collaboration with Arvinas, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in New Haven, Connecticut. The new life science research partnership uniquely leverages the full potential of Arvinas’ novel PROTAC® technology, coupled with Bayer’s leading expertise in health and agriculture to develop innovations for the benefit of patients and farmers. 

 

Arvinas is a pioneer in Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera, also known as PROTACs. PROTAC® technology harnesses the naturally occurring protein degradation system of the cell to selectively remove target proteins by proteolysis, the breakdown of proteins into amino acids.

 

For Bayer, a company which is uniquely positioned in health and agriculture, the collaboration demonstrates the utilization of potential synergies of emerging and converging research across human and plant applications that is unprecedented in the life science sector.

 

Bayer will form an exclusive joint venture as the first company to explore the PROTAC® technology in agriculture for crop protection, and at the same time establish a target-based pharmaceutical research collaboration with Arvinas. In addition, Bayer will make an equity investment to sustain its commitment for the technology.

 

 

Within the framework of the joint venture the exploration of novel molecular target space to address weeds, insects and/or diseases that threaten crops worldwide will be pioneered. As the technology degrades targets rather than inhibiting them, it offers a completely new category of crop protection applications in agriculture. In addition, PROTACs have the potential to revive crop protection mechanisms that have become ineffective due to resistance.

 

“The goal is to utilize the complementary expertise of Bayer and Arvinas to develop novel research discoveries that ultimately deliver new crop protection products for farmers,” said Dr. Robert Reiter, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer AG's Crop Science Division and Head of Crop Science Research & Development. “With this cutting-edge science, we aim to deliver safe and effective solutions that will aid farmers in protecting and producing crops that help to feed a growing global population.”

 

Within the framework of the joint venture, Bayer has committed more than USD 55 million over six years to translate the new protein degradation technology in agro chemistry and to build an agro-specific PROTAC® IP portfolio.

 

 

Today, up to 80 percent of the human proteome is still considered undruggable by small molecule inhibitors, the mechanism underlying many therapeutic drugs currently available. By removing target proteins directly rather than blocking them, protein degraders like PROTACs may provide multiple advantages over small molecule inhibitors. In addition, no inhibitors have been identified for a majority of the targets of interest in drug development.

 

“In line with our strategy to adopt novel modalities in R&D, we are entering into a collaboration with Arvinas as we see the breakthrough innovation potential in this technology,” said Dr. Joerg Moeller, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer AG's Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of Research and Development. “Because PROTACs don’t inhibit the target protein's enzymatic activity, but bind their targets with high selectivity, it may be possible to retool previously ineffective inhibitor molecules as PROTACs for next-generation medicines for patients.”

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Arvinas will receive an upfront payment and pharmaceutical R&D support over the next four years, as well as a direct equity investment. These investments combined will exceed USD 60 million. Bayer will own the rights to novel lead structures generated in the course of the collaboration. As programs progress through research, development, and commercialization, Arvinas might also be eligible to receive pre-defined development milestones of over USD 685 million and commercial royalties.

 

“As the first company founded to explore targeted protein degradation, we’ve been excited about the potential to improve the lives of patients since our inception,” said John Houston, Ph.D., President and CEO of Arvinas. “We’ve also anticipated the broad potential of our PROTAC® platform to move beyond treating human disease. This collaboration enables us not only to expand our platform into new therapeutic areas, but also begins a new journey in applying our approach to agriculture. We are thrilled to work with Bayer to begin developing solutions to efficiently support the needs of the world’s growing population and to improve human health.”