Ablynx licenses ozoralizumab to Taisho in Japan for rheumatoid arthritis

Belgian drug developer Ablynx (Euronext Brussels: ABLX) has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Taisho Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4581) for the development and commercialization of Ablynx’ ozoralizumab in Japan for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Taisho will be responsible for development, registration and commercialization of anti-TNFα Nanobody therapeutics in Japan. Ablynx receives an upfront payment of $3 million and is entitled to get development and commercial milestone payments plus royalties based on annual net sales generated in Japan.

Edwin Moses, chief executive of Ablynx, said: “We continue to deliver on our partnering strategy for ozoralizumab and are very pleased that this Nanobody could now become a potential new treatment option for inflammatory diseases in Japan. This is our first step in building a presence in Japan and we are looking forward to working together with Taisho to make this novel treatment option available to Japanese patients living with RA.”