Astellas in-licenses antibody from Evec; Mitsubishi Tanabe deal with Synageva

Japanese biotech firm Evec has entered a license agreement for one of its fully-human antibodies against infectious diseases with domestic drug major Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503).

Based on the accord, Astellas will get worldwide exclusive development, manufacturing and commercialization rights for the program. In return, Evec expects to receive an upfront payment of 600 million yen ($7.8 million) upon signing, as well as milestone payments depending on development and sales phases from Astellas totaling up to 13 billion yen ($169.3 million) and royalty payments associated with potential product sales. The development stage of the program is preclinical.

Astellas says it is committed to becoming a global category leader by establishing a business model in urology, immunology including transplantation and infectious diseases, oncology, neuroscience, DM complications and metabolic diseases. The program would strengthen its pipeline of infectious diseases.