OPKO Health and Israel-based Entera Bio have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to advance into the clinic the first oral dual agonist GLP-1/glucagon peptide as a once-daily tablet treatment for patients with obesity, metabolic and fibrotic disorders.
The program combines OPKO’s proprietary long-acting oxyntomodulin analog, OPK-88006, and Entera’s proprietary N-Tab technology, an oral delivery platform that synergistically protects and transports large molecules.
The two companies have been collaborating on the development of OPK-88006, sharing favorable pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and bioavailability data in vivo in September 2024. The partners now expect to file an IND application with the U.S. FDA later this year.
Under the terms of the new agreement, OPKO and Entera will hold 60% and 40% pro-rata ownership interests, respectively, in the program and be responsible for 60% and 40% of the program’s development costs, respectively. In connection with the deal, OPKO purchased 3,685,226 ordinary shares of Entera and Entera has agreed to utilize the proceeds from the sale of the shares to fund its 40% share of costs through phase 1 of the development program.
Following the completion of the phase 1 stage, Entera has the option to continue to fund its 40% share to maintain its ownership interest of the program.