Amgen To License MAb from Kyowa Hakko

Amgen has entered an exclusive licensing agreement to develop and commercialize Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co.’s humanized monoclonal antibody KW-0761 worldwide, except in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan, where Kyowa Hakko will retain development and commercialization rights.
   
Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen will make an upfront payment to Kyowa Hakko of $100 million. Kyowa Hakko could receive as much as $420 million in additional payments, including development, approval and sales milestones. Kyowa Hakko will also be entitled to receive royalties on sales.
   
KW-0761 is being studied in inflammation and oncology. Kyowa Hakko has completed Phase I studies of the drug in healthy volunteers and allergic rhinitis patients, and is currently conducting Phase I studies in lymphoma patients.
   
Amgen will initially acquire rights in all non-oncology indications, and Kyowa Hakko will continue its development activities in oncology until the completion of Phase IIa. Amgen may then expand its license to include oncology and reimburse Kyowa Hakko for its oncology-related development costs.