BMS will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialise obexelimab, a bifunctional, non-cytolytic, humanised monoclonal antibody, in territories including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia
BMS will develop and market obexelimab. (Credit: Christina Victoria Craft on Unsplash)
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has signed a license and collaboration agreement with Zenas BioPharma to develop and market obexelimab in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.
Obexelimab is a bifunctional, non-cytolytic, humanised monoclonal antibody intended to treat autoimmune diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zenas will receive an up-front payment of $50m in cash.
It is also eligible to receive additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments and royalties on net sales of obexelimab in the licensed territory.
In exchange, BMS will obtain exclusive rights to develop and commercialise obexelimab in the licensed territory and make an equity investment in Zenas.
Bristol Myers Squibb Japan senior vice president and general manager Steve Sugino said: “This collaboration represents an important opportunity to address unmet needs for people living with IgG4-RD, for which there are no approved treatment options.
“We are excited to work with Zenas BioPharma to expand the reach of obexelimab in the licensed territory and to make an impact on the lives of patients who are waiting.”
Zenas acquired obexelimab from Xencor, a US-based biotech company engaged in redesigning antibody and cytokine drugs.
Obexelimab is an investigational drug that binds with CD19 and FcγRIIb receptors, to inhibit the B cells, plasmablasts, and CD19-expressing plasma cells.
It is currently in Phase 3 studies in IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD) and in a Phase 2/3 study in patients with warm antibody Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia (wAIHA).
IgG4-RD is a chronic, immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs and there are no approved treatment options for this condition.
According to Zenas, obexelimab showed inhibition of B cell function without depleting the cells, in several early-stage clinical studies.
In the clinical studies, the treatment resulted in encouraging treatment effects in patients with various autoimmune diseases, said Zenas BioPharma.
Zenas BioPharma founder and CEO Lonnie Moulder said: “This collaboration marks an important step forward in realising our vision for obexelimab to benefit patients living with autoimmune diseases globally.
“The deeply experienced and passionate team at Bristol Myers Squibb is an ideal partner based on their proven development, regulatory and commercial capabilities in Japan and throughout the licensed territory.”