AbbVie pays $595m upfront for experimental Boehringer psoriasis drug
pharmafile | March 8, 2016 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | AbbVie, BI 655066, Boehringer Ingelheim, psoriasis
AbbVie is betting big on the future of an experimental psoriasis drug, paying $595m upfront for the rights to Boehringer Ingelheim’s BI 655066 candidate – currently in Phase III development for the condition.
The companies say they will develop and commercialise the anti-IL-23 monoclonal biologic antibody collaboratively. Boehringer will be eligible to receive additional development and regulatory milestone payments sales royalties – the terms of which were not disclosed.
While the two companies will initially develop BI 655066 together, AbbVie will be solely responsible for compound’s commercialisation, while Boehringer will retain an option to co-promote the compound in asthma. AbbVie and Boehringer also are evaluating the potential of this biologic therapy in Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis and asthma. BI 655066 is currently in Phase II development for Crohn’s disease and asthma, and is about to enter Phase II for psoriatic arthritis.
“This collaboration positions BI 655066 as AbbVie’s lead investigational compound in psoriasis, complementing our robust immunology pipeline,” says Michael Severino, executive vice president and chief scientific officer, AbbVie. “Our expertise in developing and commercializing the world’s leading biologic, combined with Boehringer Ingelheim’s clinical success to-date will enable us to offer patients a new treatment option with the potential to meaningfully improve the standard of care.”
As part of the deal, AbbVie also gains rights to an anti-CD-40 antibody, BI 655064, which is currently in Phase I development. Boehringer will retain responsibility for further development of BI 655064, while AbbVie has the option to advance the program after completion of certain undisclosed clinical achievements.
Recent Phase II trials comparing BI 655066 to Janssen’s Stelara (ustekinumab) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis suggested that BI 655066 had greater efficacy. After nine months, 69% of patients maintained clear or almost clear skin (PASI 90) with BI 655066 in the higher dose group, compared to 30% of patients on Stelara. Skin clearance was also achieved faster with BI 655066 (approximately eight weeks versus approximately 16 weeks) and for more than two months longer. Additionally, completely clear skin, as measured by the PASI scale was maintained after nine months in nearly triple the percentage of patients on BI 655066 compared with Stelara – at 43% versus 15%.
Dr Michel Pairet, member of the board of managing directors responsible for R&D nonclinical at Boehringer Ingelheim, comments: “Our Immunology R&D teams have successfully brought forward compounds that have the potential to transform the way immune diseases are treated. I believe the collaboration with AbbVie is the best way to ensure broad access for patients to BI 655066 and BI 655064. Our company remains strongly committed to establishing immunology as a core area of expertise and building our pipeline and capabilities in this important therapeutic area.”
The treatment landscape for psoriasis drugs has been active this week. Yesterday, Novartis reported its Cosentyx bested Stelara in a head-to-head study, and Eli Lilly also announced positive late-stage trial data for ixekuzimab in treating plaque psoriasis.
Joel Levy
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