Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has entered into global license and supply agreements with Novartis for the development and commercialization of a Captisol-enabled oral liquid formulation of trametinib, a kinase inhibitor currently indicated as a single agent or in combination with dabrafenib, for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation.

Under the terms of the license, Ligand will be eligible to receive a license fee, royalties on future net sales, and revenue from Captisol material sales. Novartis will be responsible for all costs related to the program.

“This represents an expansion of our relationship with Novartis as they develop an oral liquid formulation potential treatment option,” commented John Higgins, chief executive officer of Ligand. “This transaction continues to show the ability of Captisol to address unmet solubility and other formulation issues facing the industry.”

Captisol is a patent-protected, chemically modified cyclodextrin with a structure designed to optimize the solubility and stability of drugs. Captisol was invented and initially developed by scientists in the laboratories of Dr. Valentino Stella at the University of Kansas’ Higuchi Biosciences Center for specific use in drug development and formulation. This unique technology has enabled several FDA-approved products, including Amgen’s Kyprolis, Baxter International’s Nexterone and Spectrum’s Evomela. There are more than 40 Captisol-enabled products currently in various stages of development.

Ligand is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing or acquiring technologies that help pharmaceutical companies discover and develop medicines.