Amgen, Astellas form Japanese JV for Amgen compounds

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503) formed a JV, Amgen Astellas BioPharma KK, to co-develop and co-commercialize five Amgen compounds in Japan. The JV will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the compounds in Japan. Amgen will be eligible for undisclosed royalties, and Amgen and Astellas will split 50/50 any remaining profits and costs. Amgen will own 51% of the JV, and Astellas 49%. The partners said the JV, which will comprise both Amgen and Astellas employees and is expected to become operational in Tokyo in October, will become a wholly owned Amgen affiliate "as soon as" 2020.

The five compounds are AMG 145, a human mAb against proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in Phase II testing in Japan and in Phase III testing elsewhere for hyperlipidemia; romosozumab ( AMG 785), a humanized mAb against sclerostin in Phase II/III testing in Japan and Phase III testing elsewhere for osteoporosis; rilotumumab ( AMG 102), a human mAb against human hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) in Phase I testing in Japan and Phase III testing elsewhere for gastric cancer; AMG 337, a small molecule inhibitor of c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase in Phase I testing outside of Japan for gastric cancer; and blinatumomab ( AMG 103), a bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) against CD19 in Phase II testing outside of Japan for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and Phase I testing for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). ...