BRIEF—Roche sells IPF drug rights to Ark Biosciences

China-based biotech firm Ark Biosciences has in-licensed global rights to a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) from Swiss pharma giant Roche.

Ark believes the candidate, which has completed its first-in-human trial, has the potential to become standard-of-care.

Ark will be responsible for milestone and royalty payments, and Roche will retain certain preferential rights. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

Ark has its own innovative drug R&D operations for respiratory and infectious disease, while also in-licensing promising candidates.

This is the second licensing deal between the companies. Roche previously granted Ark exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize its then Phase I-ready respiratory syncytial virus compound AK0529.