Unique Oral Capsule
Celltrion announced on June 5 that it had signed a contract with Rani Therapeutics, a biotech company based in San Jose, California, to develop an oral version of adalimumab (development name: RT-105).
Earlier this year in January, Celltrion had signed a new drug development contract for the oral version of Ustekinumab (development name: RT-111) with Rani and subsequently entered into another collaboration agreement.
Under this contract, Celltrion will exclusively supply Rani with CT-P17 (active ingredient: adalimumab) needed for the development of oral Adalimumab and will have the right to first negotiate for the global development and marketing rights (global license) depending on the Phase 1 clinical trial results of oral Adalimumab.
Rani has developed a unique oral capsule platform technology called RaniPill that greatly improves patient convenience by applying protein and antibody drugs, which were previously only possible for drug delivery through intravenous or subcutaneous injections, into oral form. RaniPill shows bioavailability at a level similar to subcutaneous injection.
Celltrion has completed the development of Humira biosimilar CT-P17 and has obtained sales approval from the European EMA as the world's first high-concentration formulation. Recently, it also received product approval from the U.S. FDA.