− Biogen Brings Expertise in Development and Commercialization of Products for Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases –

− Total Deal Valued at Up To $217 Million, Including $10 Million Upfront Payment to Karyopharm, and Potential $207 Million in Future Milestones, Plus Royalties –

NEWTON, MA, USA I January 25, 2018 I Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:KPTI) today announced its entry into an agreement for Biogen to acquire Karyopharm’s investigational oral SINE compound KPT-350 and other assets for the treatment of certain neurological and neurodegenerative conditions.  KPT-350 is a novel therapeutic candidate that works by inhibiting XPO1, resulting in reductions in inflammation and neurotoxicity, as well as increasing neuroprotective responses.

Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen is acquiring KPT-350 and other assets targeting certain neurological conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In exchange, Karyopharm will receive a one-time upfront payment of $10 million from Biogen and is eligible to receive additional payments of up to $207 million based on the achievement by Biogen of future specified development and commercial milestones.  Karyopharm will also be eligible to receive tiered royalty payments from Biogen that reach low double digits based on future net sales of specified product candidates, including KPT-350. 

“We believe that, as a global innovative leader in neuroscience that brings world-class capabilities in developing and commercializing products targeting a broad range of neurological conditions, Biogen is well suited to further advance the development of KPT-350,” said Michael G. Kauffman, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. “This transaction is part of our broader strategy of partnering our non-oncology assets while we focus on our primary objective of executing the development of oral selinexor, our lead oncology candidate, pursuing regulatory approval in the United States and European Union, and transitioning toward a commercial-stage enterprise.”

About KPT-350

KPT-350 is an IND-ready oral SINE compound with a preclinical data package supporting potential efficacy across a number of neurological and inflammatory conditions.  XPO1 mediates the nuclear export of multiple proteins that impact neurological and inflammatory processes.  Consequently, inhibition of XPO1 by KPT-350 results in a reduction in inflammation and neurotoxicity and an increase in neuroprotective responses.  KPT-350 penetrates the blood brain barrier to a greater degree than other SINE compounds.  With a research and development program led by Sharon Tamir, Director, Strategic Product Development and Head of Neurodegenerative and Infectious Diseases and Dr. Sharon Shacham, Founder, President and CSO, oral KPT-350 is supported by extensive preclinical data showing potential efficacy in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions.

About Biogen

At Biogen, the mission is clear: Biogen is a pioneer in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 1978 as one of the world’s first global biotechnology companies by Charles Weissman, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, today Biogen has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis; has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy; and is focused on advancing neuroscience research programs in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuroimmunology, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, pain, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, and acute neurology. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics.

Biogen routinely post information that may be important to investors on their website at www.biogen.com. To learn more, please visit www.biogen.com and follow Biogen on social media – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

About Karyopharm Therapeutics

Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel first-in-class drugs directed against nuclear transport and related targets for the treatment of cancer and other major diseases. Karyopharm’s SINE compounds function by binding with and inhibiting the nuclear export protein XPO1 (or CRM1). In addition to single-agent and combination activity against a variety of human cancers, SINE compounds have also shown biological activity in models of neurodegeneration, inflammation, autoimmune disease, certain viruses and wound-healing. Karyopharm, which was founded by Dr. Sharon Shacham, currently has several investigational programs in clinical or preclinical development. For more information, please visit www.karyopharm.com.

SOURCE: Karyopharm Therapeutics