Innate Pharma acquires full rights to anti-NKG2A antibody from Novo Nordisk

For the acquisition, Innate Pharma will pay €2m in cash and 600,000 shares to Novo Nordisk for licencing the anti-NKG2A antibody. In addition, Novo Nordisk may be eligible for a total of €20m in potential registration milestones and single-digit tiered royalties on future sales.

Acquisition of the Innate Pharma shares is subject to the company’s shareholders’ approval at an extraordinary general meeting on 27 March 2014.

Novo Nordisk has conducted a Phase I study with anti-NKG2A, a humanized IgG4 antibody, in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This study has demonstrated a good safety profile for both iv and sc routes at single and multiple administrations.

The company has decided to advance other compounds for further development in inflammation, including anti-NKG2D. Currently, anti-NKG2D is in Phase II development. It is generated within the collaboration between Innate Pharma and Novo Nordisk.

Innate Pharma CEO Herve Brailly noted this is a superb opportunity for the company.

"In addition to lirilumab partnered to Bristol-Myers Squibb and currently in Phase II, we now have a proprietary Phase II ready, first-in-class, immuno-modulating antibody with favourable Phase I safety data and the promise of broad development potential.

"Our initial clinical development plan is in oncology, and we expect to start the clinical programme before the end of this year. This licence consolidates Innate Pharma’s leadership in immuno-modulating antibodies targeting the innate immune system," Brailly added.

IPH2201 (anti-NKG2A) is a humanized IgG4 antibody. IPH2201 was the third therapeutic antibody generated in the Novo Nordisk.