Pierre Fabre, a French pharmaceutical company, and Aurigene, a biotech company based in India, have entered into a collaborative license, development and commercialization agreement granting Pierre Fabre global worldwide rights (excluding India) to a new immune checkpoint modulator, AUNP-12.

AUNP-12 offers a breakthrough mechanism of action in the PD-1 pathway compared to other molecules currently in development in the highly promising immune therapy cancer space. AUNP-12 is the only peptide therapeutic in this pathway and could offer more effective and safer combination opportunities with emerging and established treatment regimens. AUNP-12 will be in development for numerous cancer indications.

Aurigene will receive an upfront payment from Pierre Fabre. Aurigene also will receive additional milestone payments based upon the continued development, regulatory progresses and commercialization of AUNP-12.

"The plans that Pierre Fabre have detailed for the development of this differentiated asset highlight the long-term opportunities for this novel cancer therapeutic," said Murali Ramachandra, senior vice president, Research, Aurigene.

"This agreement in oncology is fully consistent with our vision to build Pierre Fabre's future in prescription drugs, from a combination of cutting-edge internal R&D capabilities and license partnerships with innovative biotech companies like Aurigene," said Bertrand Parmentier, CEO, Pierre Fabre.