Cerimon licenses Novartis bowel disease drug

Currently marketed by Novartis for the prevention of organ rejection in kidney transplant recipients, Simulect is a monoclonal antibody that selectively blocks the receptor for interleukin-2 (IL-2), providing highly targeted inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation involved in serious immune-related disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cerimon will be responsible for the development and marketing of Simulect (for injection) for IBD, while Novartis will continue to market it in the transplantation indications.

Upon approval for its use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Cerimon will market Simulect and share revenue from net sales in this field with Novartis. The companies have also agreed that Cerimon will receive performance-based milestone payments. Additional financial terms are not disclosed.

“We are extremely enthusiastic about developing Simulect for the treatment of IBD, a chronic and potentially severe disease for which new treatment options are clearly needed,” said Paul Sekhri, president and CEO of Cerimon Pharmaceuticals.