Eli Lilly and Adocia, a France-based clinical-stage biotechnology company, have announced a worldwide licensing collaboration focused on developing an ultra-rapid insulin, known as BioChaperone Lispro, for treatment in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. BioChaperone Lispro relies on Adocia's proprietary BioChaperone technology and currently is in phase Ib studies.

Lilly and Adocia will develop BioChaperone Lispro with the goal of optimizing glucose levels during and after meals. Potential benefits of BioChaperone Lispro 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.

Lilly is responsible for future development, manufacturing and commercialization of BioChaperone Lispro. The total up-front and milestone payments could reach up to $570 million; Adocia will receive a total upfront fee of $50 million with the potential for future payments of up to $280 million if the product reaches certain development and regulatory milestones, and sales milestones up to $240 million, as well as tiered sales royalties. Lilly also will reimburse Adocia for certain R&D expenses. A concentrated formulation of BioChaperone Lispro also is part of the agreement.

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