Eli Lilly, Seamless enter research collaboration, licensing agreement

Seamless Therapeutics entered into a strategic global research collaboration and licensing agreement with Eli Lilly (LLY) and Company to develop and commercialize programmable recombinase-based treatments targeting hearing loss indications, using Seamless’ proprietary recombinase platform. The company’s technology performs large, precise DNA insertions in any target gene sequence, and operates independent of the cell’s natural DNA repair pathway. Under the terms of the agreement, Seamless will design and program site-specific recombinases directed to correct mutations in certain genes of interest related to hearing loss. Lilly will receive an exclusive license to the programmed recombinases to advance through preclinical and clinical drug development and commercialization. As part of the agreement, Seamless receives a guaranteed upfront payment and committed research and development funding. In total, Seamless is eligible for over $1.12B, including potential development and commercial milestone payments, excluding tiered royalties on successfully marketed drugs. Further details of the agreement have not been disclosed.