BRIEF—Kyowa Kirin walks away from deal with OncoTherapy unit

Kyowa Kirin has ended a decade long licensing agreement with fellow Japanese drugmaker OncoTherapy' Science’s subsidiary Immunas Pharma for the asset KHK6640, a potential Alzheimer's treatment.

OncoTherapy’s shares were down 3.5% at 55 yen on the news.

With the termination, Kyowa Kirin also transferred all KHK6640 related patents to Immunas.

The asset was a monoclonal antibody (MAb) discovered by Immunas and being developed by Kyowa Kirin.

It is very similar to Biogen/Eisai's Aduhelm (aducanumab) – which gained a controversial US approval and dismal launch - and its updated version Leqembi (lecanemab) by targeting amyloid beta plaque to reduce its buildup.

Leqembi has been granted accelerated approval in the USA, with a submission for full approval also being reviewed.

Japan did not give approval to Aduhelm but is reviewing the application of Leqembi.

KHK6640 is in Phase I studies in Japan and Europe.

Immunas is also seeking new licensing partners for the asset.