April 23 Quick Takes: Hansoh, NiKang partner for antiviral; plus Jakafi, Avastin, EpimAb-QIMR, ProThera-Takeda

Hansoh gains China rights to NiKang antiviral
Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. (HKEX:03692) gained rights to develop and commercialize NKT-1992 from NiKang Therapeutics Inc. for viral diseases in Greater China. NiKang is eligible to receive more than $100 million in an upfront payment and milestones, plus tiered royalties. The small molecule targets an undisclosed enzyme to modulate viral transcription and replication.

Jakafi meets in Phase III for GvHD
Incyte Corp. (NASDAQ:INCY) and Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) reported Jakavi ruxolitinib met the primary endpoint in the Phase III REACH2 study for steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The oral JAK-1 and JAK-2 inhibitor led to a 62% overall response rate (ORR) compared with 39% for best available therapy (p<0.001). ...