LG, Gilead in caspase inhibitor deal

LG Life Sciences (Seoul, South Korea) granted GILD exclusive, worldwide rights, excluding Korea, China and India, to develop and commercialize LB84451 and other caspase inhibitors to treat fibrotic diseases. LG will receive $20 million up front and is eligible for up to $182 million in milestones, plus royalties. GILD will assume all clinical development responsibilities, including completion of an ongoing European Phase IIa trial of LB84451 to prevent liver fibrosis in chronic HCV patients. LG retains worldwide rights to the compounds for ophthalmic and topical uses. ...