Calypso deal with Japanese gastrointestinal specialist

Calypso Biotech, a spin-off from German pharma major Merck KGaA (MRK: DE), has granted gastrointestinal specialist EA Pharma an exclusive and worldwide license for the development, manufacturing and marketing of CALY-001.

This anti-MMP-9 fully human monoclonal antibody is seen as a promising novel treatment for indications such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), potentially capable of preventing disease complications.

Both companies will collaborate to develop this candidate for IBD. Calypso Biotech will receive an undisclosed upfront sum as well as milestone and royalty payments from EA Pharma, which was inaugurated in April 2016 when Japanese pharma major Eisai (TYO: 4523) and food company Ajinomoto (TYO: 2802) combined their gastrointestinal pharmaceutical businesses into a new joint venture. The aim of the venture is to become Japan's largest gastrointestinal specialty pharma company.