Kyowa Hakko Kirin, AstraZeneca deal

Kyowa granted AstraZeneca an exclusive option to commercialize benralizumab to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Japan. AZ gained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize benralizumab outside of Japan and certain Asian countries through its 2007 acquisition of MedImmune Inc. The humanized mAb against IL-5 receptor is in Phase III testing to treat severe uncontrolled asthma and COPD (see BioCentury, Jan. 1, 2007 & June 25, 2007). ...