Ono Pharmaceutical is teaming up with clinical-stage biotech Mediar Therapeutics to discover novel antibody therapies for fibro-inflammatory diseases, targeting conditions where major treatment gaps remain.

 

Under the drug discovery partnership and option agreement, Mediar will lead research and use its antibody-discovery capabilities and fibrosis-focused biology platform to identify potential drug candidates. Ono will hold exclusive worldwide option rights to select candidates for further development, manufacturing and commercialization.

 

The collaboration expands Ono’s push into immunology and inflammation and aims to harness Mediar’s expertise in fibrosis to develop new biologic treatments for patients with high unmet medical needs.

 

“Fibro-inflammatory diseases remain areas of significant unmet medical need, and we believe biologics innovation is essential to provide meaningful therapeutic advances,” said Seishi Katsumata, Corporate Officer / Executive Vice President, Discovery & Research of Ono. 

 

"Mediar has established deep scientific expertise in fibrosis and antibody discovery. By combining Mediar’s capabilities with Ono’s experience in immunology and inflammation research area, we aim to create novel antibody therapeutics that may offer new treatment options for patients.”

 

The companies said the partnership will explore immune-mediated mechanisms linked to autoimmune pathology, with Mediar drawing on its understanding of fibrotic biology and antibody discovery.

 

Mediar’s approach focuses on the myofibroblast, a key disease-driving cell involved in fibrosis that contributes to scarring, disease progression and, ultimately, organ failure.

 

“This strategic collaboration with Ono is an important milestone for Mediar and reflects the growing recognition that directly targeting the myofibroblast can unlock new therapeutic possibilities in fibrotic diseases,” said Rahul Ballal, Chief Executive Officer of Mediar. “By using our expertise in antifibrotics discovery, we are positioned to advance new potential therapies across a broad range of diseases.”

 

The partnership builds on an existing relationship between the companies. Ono Venture Investment, Ono’s corporate venture capital arm, participated in Mediar’s seed extension financing round in March 2021 and has since maintained a collaborative relationship with the biotech.

 

The latest deal gives Ono an opportunity to expand its biologics pipeline while giving Mediar access to a major pharmaceutical partner as it advances its fibrosis-focused drug discovery efforts.