Galderma licenses nemolizumab from Chugai

Japanese drug major Chugai Pharmaceuticals (TYO: 4519) and Switzerland’s Galderma have entered into a global license agreement for nemolizumab (CIM331) the anti-interleukin (IL)-31 receptor A humanized monoclonal antibody created by Chugai, which is currently under development for atopic dermatitis and pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

Under the agreement, Chugai will grant Galderma - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Swiss foods giant Nestle (NESN: VX) - an exclusive license for the development and marketing of nemolizumab worldwide, with the exception of Japan and Taiwan. Chugai will continue to be responsible for product manufacturing and supply of nemolizumab. Chugai will receive an upfront, milestone and royalty payments from Galderma. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

There has been no specified biologic till now for atopic dermatitis, according to a recent report from ResearchandMarkets. It is expected that dupilumab, developed by Sanofi, will be the first biologic to be used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Other prominent competitors entering the market are nemolizumab by Chugai, lebrikizumab by Roche and tralokinumab by AstraZeneca.