- World-wide exclusive license grant to R-Pharm to develop and commercialize olokizumab in all indications
- R-Pharm to continue development of olokizumab in rheumatoid arthritis
- UCB receives upfront payment, future milestone payments and royalties
BRUSSELS, Belgium I July 4, 2013 I UCB and R-Pharm, a privately owned pharmaceutical company based in Moscow, Russia, today announced that they have entered into a world-wide exclusive license grant to R-Pharm to develop and commercialize olokizumab in all indications, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Under the terms of this agreement, R-Pharm will develop, register, manufacture, distribute and book sales globally. UCB receives an upfront payment and is entitled to receive payments on development and commercialization milestones and royalties. Further details of the agreement are not disclosed.
“We at UCB are very satisfied with the positive phase 2 results for olokizumab. Following the prioritization of UCB’s rich pipeline, we took the portfolio decision to partner olokizumab”, says Roch Doliveux, CEO UCB. “We are pleased that R-Pharm will provide a potential new treatment option for patients with immunology diseases.”
“We highly appreciate the confidence in us and do believe that the strategic collaboration with UCB will contribute to decrease the burden of diseases. This kind of partnership is an example of experience and technology exchange for the patients’ benefit globally”, noted Alexey Repik, President and Chairman R-Pharm.
September 2012, UCB announced top-line results from a phase 2b study of olokizumab (CDP6038) in adult patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) having previously failed anti-TNF therapy. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of various doses and dose administration frequencies of olokizumab relative to placebo. This phase 2b study met its primary endpoint of demonstrating a significant reduction in the disease activity score at week 12 across all olokizumab dose groups relative to placebo. All doses of olokizumab demonstrated statistically significant improvement in disease activity score (DAS 28) (p<0.001) when compared with placebo. Olokizumab was well tolerated across all doses and demonstrated a safety profile consistent with known effects of IL-6 inhibitors.
For further information UCB
Antje Witte, Investor Relations, UCB
T +32 2 559 9414, antje.witte@ucb.com
France Nivelle, Global Communications, UCB
T +32 2 559 9178, france.nivelle@ucb.com
Laurent Schots, Media Relations, UCB
T +32.2.559.9264, laurent.schots@ucb.com
For further information R-Pharm
Evgenya Kasyanenkko – PR manager, R-Pharm
T: +79032205497, kasyanenko@rpharm.ru
Alexey Ordzhonikidze – Marketing Director, R-Pharm
T: +79037982829, Ordzhonikidze@rpharm.ru
Notes to the editor
About Olokizumab
Olokizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-6 cytokine. IL-6 is involved in several autoimmune and inflammatory pathways. Olokizumab is the first of a new type of IL-6 inhibitor that selectively blocks the final assembly of the IL-6 receptor signaling complex.
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 8 500 people in about 40 countries, the company generated revenue of EUR 3.4 billion in 2012. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).
About R-Pharm
R-Pharm is a Russian private high-tech pharmaceutical company with focus on hospital/specialty care, founded in 2001. Turnover in 2012 – over 1.8 bn USD. R-Pharm has over 2 800 employees and covers entire territory of Russia and CIS. The company is involved in research and development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of innovative pharmaceutical and biotech products. www.r-pharm.com
SOURCE: UCB
