Asahi Kasei Pharma gains rights to Kevzara in Japan

11 December 2017

The Japanese subsidiary of French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) has signed a license agreement with Asahi Kasei Pharma (TYO: 3407) for the marketing of rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara Subcutaneous Injection (sarilumab [rDNA origin]) in Japan.

Developed jointly by Sanofi and US biotech firm Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: REGN) Kevzara is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptors and thereby blocks the action of interleukin (IL)-6, which is known to play an important role in inflammation of the synovial membrane of joints.

Global peak sales of Kevzara, which was approved and launched in the USA, Canada, and Europe during 2017, are projected at $1 billion-plus a year.

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