InterMune, Roche sales and marketing update

InterMune sold all rights to HCV candidate danoprevir to partner Roche for $175 million in cash. InterMune will no longer be eligible for any milestones or royalties from the HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor, which Roche originally in-licensed in 2006. Danoprevir was discovered by InterMune and Array BioPharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ARRY, Boulder, Colo.) under a 2002 deal. The compound is in Phase IIb testing.

InterMune said the cash will support registration and commercialization of pirfenidone in the U.S. and EU, while eliminating further financial obligation for danoprevir. In May, the company reduced headcount by 40% after FDA requested an additional clinical trial in a complete response letter for pirfenidone to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (see BioCentury, May 31). ...