Amgen, AstraZeneca deal

Amgen and AstraZeneca partnered to jointly develop and commercialize five of Amgen's human mAbs in its inflammation portfolio. The deal includes anti-IL17R mAb brodalumab (formerly AMG 827), which is slated to begin Phase III testing this year for psoriasis. Brodalumab is also in Phase II testing for psoriatic arthritis and asthma. Last month, Amgen said brodalumab met the primary endpoint in a Phase II trial to treat psoriasis (see BioCentury, April 2).

Amgen will promote brodalumab in dermatology indications in the U.S. and Canada, and in rheumatology indications in the U.S., Canada and Europe. AstraZeneca will promote it in respiratory indications and initially in dermatology indications in territories outside the U.S., Canada and markets where Amgen has existing partnerships. The companies will agree on the promotional rights for other territories, indication and compounds at a later date. ...