Transaction Case Studies
MULTI-TRACK ENGAGEMENT LEADING TO LICENSE AND EQUITY INVESTMENT
Situation Assessment
- Corsair Pharma is a privately held biopharmaceutical company operating as a portfolio company of Velocity Pharmaceutical Development
- Corsair is focused on the development of novel prodrugs of treprostinil for PAH
- Corsair’s lead development is focused on transdermal treprostinil compounds, but the company has a broad portfolio of IP covering prodrugs for several modalities
- Corsair engaged Locust Walk to conduct a commercial assessment for its treprostinil patch and evaluate strategic and financing opportunities
Key Activities
- Locust Walk engaged in a multi-track process that parallel processed strategic partnership along with private financing opportunities to allow Corsair to fund development of its treprostinil patch
- Conducted a comprehensive commercial assessment and valuation focusing on the opportunity for a transdermal treprostinil patch
- Ran a comprehensive process to identify potential development/commercial partners with strong capabilities in the orphan and/or cardiopulmonary space
- Ran a comprehensive process to identify potential private investors including both institutional and strategic investors
- Integral in negotiating economic and non-economic terms and provided guidance to Corsair throughout the transaction process
Successful Outcome
- Corsair successfully licensed its IP portfolio of treprostinil prodrugs to United Therapeutics, a leader in the PAH space, for an undisclosed upfront fee and royalties payments due for any United product that would read upon Corsair’s IP
- Corsair retained rights for transdermal prodrugs and received a cross-license from United Therapeutics’ IP portfolio to allow for freedom to operate and develop its treprostinil patch
- In addition, United Therapeutics made a minority equity investment in Corsair and was granted an option to acquire the company; capital raise was sufficient to fund development through key milestones