Lilly inks deal with Care Capital, NovaQuest Capital to establish BioCritica

INDIANAPOLIS — Drug maker Eli Lilly is partnering with two private investor groups to form a new biotech company based in central Indiana, the company said Monday.

Lilly signed a deal with Care Capital and NovaQuest Capital to establish BioCritica, a privately held biotechnology company that will focus on continued U.S. development and commercialization of the severe sepsis treatment Xigris (drotrecogin alfa [activated]). The new company also will expand its portfolio of critical care medicines for hospitals.

Under a licensing agreement, BioCritica will acquire U.S. development and commercialization rights to Xigris and receive rights to potentially acquire several critical care compounds in preclinical development at Lilly.