Mariel Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Stryker's Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (BMP-7) assets for the potential treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other organ fibrosis conditions including lupus and obesity.

Mariel acquired the rights to over 450 issued and pending patents, Stryker's BMP-7-related clinical and research data and the associated biologic materials. Stryker will have a right of first negotiation for commercial rights in the area of osteoarthritis. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Human recombinant BMP-7 previously has been used in reconstructive bone applications in over 40,000 patients. Previous phase I and phase IIa trials have been completed in OA. Mariel intends to pursue a phase IIb/III clinical trial for OA and phase I trials for CKD and Alport's disease, a genetic kidney fibrosis disease.