Lilly and Hanmi enter immunological therapy pact
pharmafile | March 20, 2015 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | HM71224, Korea, Sjögren, hanmi, immunological, lilly
Eli Lilly and Korean-based pharma firm Hanmi have entered a collaboration agreement to develop and commercialise an immunological therapy.
The oral bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor HM71224, is ready to enter Phase II trials to investigate the molecule for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome – a chronic disease in which the body’s white blood cells destroy the exocrine glands.
“HM71224 is a potent and effective BTK inhibitor and has successfully demonstrated proof of mechanism in preclinical studies and a Phase I study in Europe,” explains Dr Gwan Sun Lee, who is the chief executive and president of Hanmi.
He continues: “We are very pleased to be collaborating with Lilly, and through this agreement we are excited to drive the joint project forward with the ultimate aim to offer new medical treatment options to patients with autoimmune disorders and related conditions.”
Under the agreement Lilly will receive worldwide rights to the molecule for all indications excluding China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. Hanmi will receive an initial payment of $50 million and is eligible for up to $640 million in potential development and sales milestones.
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune disorders which occur when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy tissue by mistake.
Sjögren’s syndrome is one such type that affects people aged 40-60, with women accounting for about 90% of cases. However, Arthritis Research UK estimates that there may be up to half a million people in the UK who have the condition.
Thomas Bumol, who is the senior vice president of biotechnology and immunology research at Lilly, says: “Significant unmet medical need exists in many prevalent autoimmune diseases where individual patient needs are not adequately being met with available treatments.”
He concludes: “We’re highly encouraged by the potential of HM71224 to deliver an innovative, first-in-class treatment option.”
Tom Robinson
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