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9 August 2017Americas

Dermira acquires licensing rights to Roche dermatitis drug

Biopharmaceutical company Dermira has acquired the licensing rights to lebrikizumab, a treatment for atopic dermatitis, from Roche.

Under the agreement, which was announced yesterday, Dermira will pay $80 million to Roche initially and make payments totalling $55 million next year.

If certain milestones are achieved, Dermira will need to pay more—$40 million upon the initiation of Dermira’s first phase three clinical study, up to $210 million after the achievement of regulatory and first commercial sale milestones in certain territories, and up to $1.025 billion based on the achievement of certain net sales.

Dermira will obtain exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialise lebrikizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin 13 (IL-13).

Roche will retain certain rights, including exclusive rights to develop and promote lebrikizumab for interstitial lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Tom Wiggans, chairman and CEO of Dermira, said: “We believe atopic dermatitis is one of the greatest unmet needs in dermatology, and lebrikizumab, if successfully developed and approved, could represent a meaningful advancement in the treatment of this disease.”

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017.

Last year, LSIPR  interviewed Roche’s chief IP counsel Mike Young, who explained that Roche is working hard to fight cancer and lead the way in personalised medicine, while also dealing with patenting, litigation and other challenges.

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More on this story

Americas
7 October 2016   Roche is working hard to fight cancer and lead the way in personalised medicine, while at the same time dealing with patenting, litigation and other challenges, says chief IP counsel Mike Young in an interview with LSIPR.

More on this story

Americas
7 October 2016   Roche is working hard to fight cancer and lead the way in personalised medicine, while at the same time dealing with patenting, litigation and other challenges, says chief IP counsel Mike Young in an interview with LSIPR.