Date: 2016-02-26
Type of information: Termination of the agreement
Compound: epratuzumab
Company: Immunomedics (USA - NJ) UCB (Belgium)
Therapeutic area:
Type agreement: R&D licensing
Action mechanism: monoclonal antibody. Epratuzumab is a monoclonal antibody to target CD22, a protein that modulates B-cells, which are key components of the immune system and can play a central role in the pathogenesis of SLE if they become overactive. While the mechanism of action of epratuzumab is not fully elucidated, data indicate that it binds to CD22, resulting in diminished SLE-related hyperactivity of B cells without depleting them. Epratuzumab was licensed from Immunomedics by UCB for clinical development and commercialization in all autoimmune disorders.
Disease:
Details: * On February 26, 2016, Immunomedics announced receipt of a notice from UCB terminating the May 2006 Development, Collaboration and License Agreement for epratuzumab for all non-cancer indications worldwide. Under the terms of the Agreement, the companies will now begin the transition process in a timely and orderly fashion. “The return of the worldwide rights of epratuzumab for all non-cancer indications allows us to examine all options to maximize its value, not only in oncology but also in autoimmune diseases,” commented Cynthia L. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Immunomedics. “Epratuzumab is being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia sponsored by a European consortium, and Bayer has begun studying epratuzumab as a thorium-227-labeled antibody in patients with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” Ms. Sullivan further remarked.
Financial terms:
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