Nabi agrees Civacir R&D deal with Kedrion

USA based drug developer Nabi Biopharmaceuticals says that it has signed an agreement with Italy's Kedrion SpA, under which the pair will develop and commercialize the former's antiviral Civacir, an investigational polyclonal antibody that targets the hepatitis C virus. The accord covers the development of the product for the US and European markets, with Kedrion as exclusive licensee in Europe.

Under the terms of the deal, Kedrion will assume all costs associated with R&D in Europe and the USA through to at least the Phase II clinical trial stage. In addition, the Lucca, Italy-headquartered firm will make milestone and royalty payments to Nabi. Thomas Mclain, Nabi's chief executive, said that the agreement represents a major funding event for the firm, adding that the deal is also a validation of the clinical and commercial potential of Civcir. Financial terms of the agreement were not made public.