InterMune, Roche Close HCV Agreement

InterMune, Inc. has closed its exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Roche for the exclusive worldwide development and commercialization of InterMune’s hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor program. The parties received notice of early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, on October 30th.

As a result of the closing, InterMune will receive an upfront payment of $60 million. Roche is now funding 67% of the global development costs associated with ITMN-191, InterMune’s lead HCV protease inhibitor drug candidate. If the development and commercialization of ITMN-191 is successful, InterMune could receive as much as $470 million in milestones, including a potential $35 million within the next 12 months.