Xenon and Roche have entered into a worldwide research and license agreement to jointly research protein-based inhibitors of hemojuvelin (HJV). In addition to the research and license agreement Roche has purchased $7 million of Xenon stock.
The research term is for 2 years and upon the achievement of a series of research, development and regulatory milestones, Xenon may be eligible to receive payments of up to $44 million. Roche will also pay Xenon undisclosed royalties on sales of resulting products and Xenon has retained an option to co-promote therapeutic products in Canada.
Furthermore, the collaborative agreement provides Roche with an option to commercialize HJV-based diagnostics, as well as an option to license small molecule inhibitors of HJV that Xenon develops.
Anemia of inflammation is an acquired disorder associated with a variety of conditions including infections, cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. HJV represents a novel target that when inhibited may reverse the iron disturbances observed in anemia of inflammation and thereby facilitate red blood cell production.