Biopharmaceutical royalties buyer Royalty Pharma plc (Nasdaq:RPRX) said on Wednesday that it has entered into an agreement with biotechnology company Biogen Inc (Nasdaq:BIIB) to provide up to USD250m in research and development funding for litifilimab, a first-in-class biologic in Phase 3 trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE).
Litifilimab has demonstrated proof-of-concept and a well-tolerated safety profile in both conditions, with results published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It has the potential to be the first targeted biologic approved for CLE, a disease with no currently available treatments.
Biogen expects Phase 3 trial results between 2026 and 2027.
Under the deal, Royalty Pharma will provide funding over six quarters in exchange for regulatory milestones and mid-single-digit royalties on global sales.
Faron launches BLAZE trial with Institute of Cancer Research to address immunotherapy resistance
AstraZeneca secures US Breakthrough status for Enhertu in early breast cancer
Ipsen licenses Simcere Zaiming antibody-drug conjugate for global development
Shield Therapeutics wins FDA approval to expand ACCRUFeR use to adolescents
Hansa Biopharma submits imlifidase Biologics License Application to FDA
T-MAXIMUM Pharmaceutical receives IND approval to start Phase II trial of MT027 for rGBM
Ipsen closes Phase II FALKON trial after missing primary endpoint in FOP
Curasight reports first patient dosed in Phase 1 uTREAT trial in brain cancer
Clywedog Therapeutics activates all clinical centres and patient dosing in balomenib Phase 1b study