Suven Life Sciences inks pact with Eli Lily; Stock surges 6%

Suven Life Sciences Limited has signed a second pact with Eli Lilly and company, a US based global pharmaceutical company, to collaborate on the pre-clinical research of molecules in the therapeutic area of central nervous system disorders (CNS).

Under the agreement, Suven will get research funding as well as potential discovery and development milestone payments in the range of USD 19 million to USD 23 million per candidate and potential royalties on net sales of any products that may be successfully commercialized from the collaboration.

Hyderabad-based Suven Life Sciences Limited, together with its subsidiary Suven Life Sciences USA LLC, focuses on drug discovery and development support services, collaborative research services, contract research and manufacturing services.

The company already has a deal with Lily to provide pre-clinical research for developing a drug candidate to treat another central nervous system disorder.

Last month, company entered into an agreement with the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, to develop new therapies for treating human immuno deficiency virus type I (HIV- I).

Suven shares touched a high of Rs 38.60 on the BSE after the news. It ended the day at Rs 37.25, up Rs 2 or 6% over the previous close. The total volume of shares traded was 744,145.