Novartis, Baylor Research Institute deal

The institute said it granted Novartis a non-exclusive license to patents covering the use of IL-1 beta antagonists to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). The partners declined to disclose financial terms.

In May, FDA approved a regulatory application from Novartis to expand the label for Ilaris canakinumab, a human anti-IL-1 beta mAb, to include treatment of SJIA. Ilaris is already approved in more than 60 countries, including the U.S., to treat cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). The drug is also approved in the EU to treat gouty arthritis (see BioCentury, March 4 & May 13). ...