Rigel Pharmaceuticals has granted AstraZeneca an exclusive worldwide license for development and commercialization of its R256 inhaled JAK inhibitor for the treatment for moderate to severe asthma. The deal includes an upfront payment of $1 million with a potential $8.25 million in milestone payments by the end of next year; according to the two companies, the total value of the deal could be as much as $100 million, plus royalties on sales.
AstraZeneca Executive VP of Innovative Medicines Mene Pangalos commented, “We are pleased to be expanding our relationship with Rigel and to develop and commercialize this novel asset, R256. Despite the number of medicines available to asthma patients today, there remains a need for more targeted therapies for moderate to severe chronic asthma. Through this agreement, R256 will benefit from the wealth of experience AstraZeneca has in bringing innovative treatments for respiratory diseases to millions of patients around the world.”
“R256 emerged from Rigel’s comprehensive study of chronic and severe asthma and lung inflammation. With AstraZeneca as our development partner, severely asthmatic people may one day have inhalable R256 as an additional, useful treatment option,” said Rigel Executive VP and President of Discovery and Research Donald Payan. “This marks our second collaboration with AstraZeneca in the area of immunology and we are confident it will be as mutually rewarding as the first.”
Read the Rigel press release.
