Boehringer Ingelheim has unveiled a strategic partnership with Rectify Pharmaceuticals to develop small-molecule therapies that enhance the function of the ABCC6 protein. The deal, valued at up to $448 million, involves an upfront fee combined with various milestones related to clinical development, regulatory approval, and future commercial success.
The project focuses on addressing vascular calcification, a severe complication found in 80% of patients with end-stage renal disease, which significantly increases the risk of fatal cardiovascular events. By leveraging Rectify’s specialized platform for membrane protein dysfunction, the partnership seeks to create disease-modifying treatments that target the fundamental biological drivers of the condition.
This investment strengthens Boehringer Ingelheim’s R&D pipeline in the cardio-renal-metabolic sector, complementing its existing major therapies. Currently transitioning from candidate selection to IND-enabling studies, the program offers new therapeutic possibilities for chronic kidney disease and other pathologies characterized by abnormal calcium buildup, such as aortic valve stenosis.