BioCentury
ARTICLE | Company News

UCB licenses olokizumab to R-Pharm

UCB Group granted R-Pharm CJSC exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize olokizuma

July 5, 2013 11:36 PM UTC

UCB Group (Euronext:UCB) granted R-Pharm CJSC (Moscow, Russia) exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize olokizumab, a humanized mAb against IL-6. UCB received an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible for undisclosed milestones, plus royalties. Last September, UCB said subcutaneous olokizumab met the primary endpoint in a Phase IIb trial to treat moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis. However, in October the company disclosed in its financial results for the first nine months of 2012 that it discontinued internal development of the compound because data "do not suggest sufficient differentiation potential" vs. Actemra tocilizumab from Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY). R-Pharm could not be reached for comment (see BioCentury Extra, Sept. 26, 2012).

Roche markets IV tocilizumab as Actemra in the U.S. and as RoActemra in the EU. A subcutaneous formulation of the humanized mAb against IL-6 receptor is under review for RA in the U.S. with an October PDUFA date. Roche submitted a regulatory application to EMA for the subcutaneous formulation last December. ...