AbbVie has gained exclusive global rights to develop a portfolio of small-molecule inhibitors of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) to treat hematological cancers from Mumbai-based Lupin. Lupin, long known as a maker of generic drugs, was developing the MALT1 program out of its Novel Drug Discovery and Development Division (NDDD).

The MALT1 protein, also known as paracaspase, acts in the ‘signalosome’ involved in NF-κB signaling and T-cell and B-cell lymphocyte activation. Aberrant NF-κB activation and exaggerated MALT1 activity are hallmarks of human lymphomas, and hence MALT1 inhibitors are a promising new class of antitumoral drugs.

Tom Hudson, vice president of discovery at AbbVie, commented in a press release issued on December 24, “Lupin’s MALT1 program is exploring a new and innovative approach in difficult-to-treat cancers. [...] We look forward to partnering our expertise in hematological oncology with Lupin’s discovery program to offer new hope to patients.”

Lupin will receive an up-front payment of $30 million and up to $947 million on the successful completion of regulatory, development and commercial milestones; a double-digit royalty on the sales of any developed therapies; and commercial rights to the MALT1 program in India.

Lupin’s NDDD program dates to 2010 and aims to build a pipeline of innovative new chemical entities in the therapeutic areas of oncology, immunology and metabolic disorders. Raj Kamboj, the program president, says, “This is a first-in-class drug discovery program delivered exclusively by Lupin right from concept generation through the various stages of drug discovery and development.”