Chronic liver disease and associated cirrhosis account for one million deaths every year
Boehringer Ingelheim and Ochre Bio have partnered to discover and develop novel, first-in-class regenerative treatments for chronic liver disease (CLD), including late-stage metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis.
The partnership aligns with Boehringer’s drive to improve outcomes for patients living with interconnected cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases.
Accounting for approximately one million deaths per year, CLD and associated cirrhosis cause significant morbidity, loss of health-related quality of life and economic burden.
As CLD progresses, the liver’s natural ability to regenerate and repair diminishes, resulting in serious complications such as liver failure or liver cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ochre will receive up to $35m in upfront and near-term research-based milestone payments, as well as possible milestones for clinical, regulatory and commercial success plus tiered royalties, with an overall deal value with the potential to exceed $1bn.
The partnership will utilise the biotechnology company’s proprietary discovery platform to identify, characterise and validate multiple novel regenerative targets for CLD, while Boehringer aims to develop new treatments modulating innovative regenerative targets with the potential to enhance the liver’s self-repair capabilities to prevent or reverse disease progression.
Ochre’s platform combines machine learning with human big data, such as advanced imaging, deep genomic phenotyping and in-house RNA chemistry, to employ proprietary ex-vivo human-organ perfusion models.
Søren Tullin, senior vice president and global head, cardiometabolic diseases research, Boehringer Ingelheim, commented: “Our partnership with Ochre Bio is driven by a shared goal to accelerate the development of new treatments for chronic liver diseases, including MASH cirrhosis.
“We believe [Ochre Bio’s] application of advanced genomics and machine learning coupled with human-centric translational models… to uncover novel regenerative pathways… will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by chronic liver disease.”
Quin Wills, co-founder and chief scientific officer, Ochre Bio, said: “We are delighted to be working with… Boehringer, who share our belief that liver regeneration is an underexplored therapeutic goal in patients with liver failure.”

https://pharma.com/news/boehringer-ingelheim-and-ochre-bio-partner-on-liver-disease-in-deal-worth-over-1bn/