BRIEF—Equillium and Biocon expand itolizumab deal

La Jolla, California-based immunology specialist Equillium has inked a deal with Biocon, expanding an existing collaboration and license agreement.

The deal builds on the firms’ research into Biocon’s novel biologic itolizumab, granting Equillium exclusive rights for developing and commercializing the candidate in Australia and New Zealand. The firm secured rights to the US and Canadian markets in May 2017.

Itolizumab is a novel first-in-class humanized anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody, which Biocon developed and launched in India under the brand name Alzumab, to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in 2013.

The firms are working to develop the candidate for a wide range of autoimmune disorders.