MedImmune, SBI Biotech Enter Autoimmune Disease Research Pact

MedImmune, the global biologics unit of AstraZeneca, and SBI Biotech Co., Ltd, have entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize SBI Biotech’s anti-ILT7 protein for the potential treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases. MedImmune will have global rights to any resulting product candidates and will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development, as well as all future development, manufacturing, sales and marketing activities.
   
Under the terms of the agreement, SBI Biotech will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, milestone payments and royalties on future marketed products. MedImmune has an exclusive license to research, develop and commercialize products that target the ILT7 protein. MedImmune will also have the option to license additional targets resulting from SBI Biotech’s research activities.
   
“It’s an honor to work with Ken-ichi Arai, founder of SBI Biotech and one of Japan’s leading scientists. We look forward to collaborating with him and his organization as we develop potential new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as SLE,” said Anthony J. Coyle, Ph.D., vice president, research, respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity. “As an innovative company dedicated to making a difference for patients, MedImmune will continue to seek out research and development initiatives that may address some of society’s critical unmet medical needs.”