BRIEF—EUSA buys Sylvant outright for $115 million

EUSA Pharma has bought the global rights to Sylvant (siltuximab) from a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson for $115 million in cash.

EUSA, a UK-based firm which focuses on oncology and rare diseases, will market the drug as a therapy for the rare disease, idiopathic multicentric Castleman’s disease (iMCD).

Sylvant, which was first approved in 2014, is the only marketed therapy in this indication in the USA and Europe. It is approved in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Chief executive Lee Morley said: “Following the recent divestment of our critical care portfolio, EUSA Pharma has transformed into a rapidly growing biopharmaceutical company focused solely on oncology and rare disease, backed by leading life science investor EW Healthcare Partners.”

“Sylvant is a perfect fit with our ambitious plans to roll out innovative biopharmaceutical treatments to serve the oncology and rare disease community worldwide.”