Roche, Toyama Enter Licensing Pact Worth Up To $370M (Japan)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Drugmaker Roche Holding AG Monday said it entered an agreement with Toyama Chemical Co. of Japan to develop a potential new drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in a deal worth up to $370 million. Roche expects its emerging franchise of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and other automimmune disease to become an important driver for growth over the next few years. It launched its first treatment for the diseases last year, and has another in late-stage development, which it hopes to start selling from next year. Toyama's experimental drug, codenamed T-5224, is in the first of three phases of clinical testing. By inhibiting a specific inflammatory process, T-5224 has the potential to block signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as well as the progressive destruction of joint and bone, Roche said. Toyama Chemical has granted Roche exclusive rights to research, develop, and sell T-5224 outside Japan, where Toyama Chemical will retain exclusive rights. (Click here for more - May Require Paid Subscription