MedImmune, WuXi form Chinese JV for anti-IL-6 mAb

The MedImmune LLC biologics unit of AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) formed a 50/50 JV with WuXi PharmaTech Inc. (NYSE:WX) to develop and commercialize MedImmune's MEDI5117 in China for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The mAb against IL-6 is in Phase I testing in the U.S. and Europe. MedImmune will provide technical and development expertise, while WuXi will provide local regulatory, manufacturing, preclinical and clinical trial support. The companies said the Chinese government requires local manufacturing of medicines that are not approved in other markets. ...