Lilly to acquire Alnara

INDIANAPOLIS Drug maker Eli Lilly is moving to acquire a company developing an enzyme-replacement therapy, Lilly said Friday.

Lilly will acquire Alnara Pharmaceuticals, which is developing a pancreatic enzyme-replacement therapy called liprotamase, designed to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. EPI results from diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, removal of the pancreas and other conditions. The disease results in inadequate nutrient absorption due to inability to property digest and absorb fat, protein and carbohydrates.

“The acquisition of Alnara provides Lilly with a promising entry into enzyme replacement therapy – an area with unmet medical needs as well as opportunities for novel compounds that give patients additional treatment options,” Lilly EVP and Lilly BioMedicines president Bryce Carmine said. “Alnara has been very successful in the development of liprotamase – as indicated by its recent submission to the [Food and Drug Administration] – and we look forward to partnering with Alnara’s experts during the regulatory review process.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.