Parion Sciences, Gilead Sciences Ink Agreement

Parion Sciences and Gilead Sciences have entered into an exclusive licensing and codevelopment agreement focused on P-680, an epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) inhibitor discovered by Parion, the companies announced.

The agreement grants Gilead worldwide commercialization rights to P-680 for the treatment of pulmonary diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and non-CF bronchiectasis, the companies said.

In addition, the companies will collaborate on a research program to identify other promising ENaC blocker-based drug candidates utilizing Parion’s proprietary ENaC-based chemistry platform, the companies added.

Under the agreement, Gilead said it will supply research funding and may make payments upon achievements of certain milestones resulting in a potential deal of approximately $146 million.

Parion said it will perform the IND-enabling studies for P-680 and will transition development responsibilities to Gilead during the Phase I clinical trial period.