Bristol-Myers in deal for rights to investigational liver fibrosis drug

US pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement for a Phase Ib asset in development for advanced liver fibrosis.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will make an upfront payment of $100 million to Japan’s Nitto Denko (TYO: 6988). In return, B-MS gains exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of Nitto’s investigational siRNA molecules targeting heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) in vitamin A containing formulations, which includes Nitto’s lead asset ND-L02-s0201, currently in Phase Ib study for the treatment of advanced liver fibrosis. The agreement also grants the US drugmaker the option to receive exclusive licenses for HSP47 siRNAs in vitamin A containing formulations for the treatment of lung fibrosis and other organ fibrosis. The agreement is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

B-MS will be responsible for the development, manufacture, and commercialization of HSP47 siRNAs in vitamin A containing formulations for all liver diseases. Nitto is also eligible to receive subsequent clinical and regulatory milestone payments, royalties, sales based milestone payments as well as option exercise payments for lung and other organ fibrosis.