Servier buys development and commercialization rights of OSE’s Effi-7

Effi-7, an antagonist of the interleukin-7 receptor, is intended to treat patients suffering from invalidating autoimmune pathologies.

The deal is inclusive of an upfront payment of €10.25m by Servier along with additional payments of €30m following the execution of a two-step option license.

These steps will help in developing Effi-7 up to the completion of its phase 2 clinical trial which has been planned in patients having ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune bowel disorder.

Servier immune-inflammatory diseases department director Patricia Belissa-Mathiot said: “This partnership shows our willingness to focus our research on pathologies with very strong medical needs and to bring innovative therapeutic solutions to patients suffering from auto-inflammatory diseases. It demonstrates our commitment for research and the importance of partnerships with biotech companies.”

As per the deal, further payments will cover clinical development achievement and registration across multiple indications besides sales milestones including double-digit royalties on sale.

OSE Immunotherapeutics CEO Dominique Costantini said: “This agreement validates the strong potential and the attractiveness of our breakthrough immunotherapies, developed by a leading team that I would like to thank warmly. We are looking forward to working with the Servier R&D team to make this global partnership a success.”

Effi-7 is currently in a preclinical stage for ulcerative colitis. Its development will be done until the phase 2 clinical trial by the French biotechnology company OSE Immunotherapeutics led EFFIMab consortium which also includes the University Hospital of Nantes and PxTherapeutics. Subsequently, Servier will take over the development of Effi-7 after the completion of its phase 2 study.

Image: Servier acquired development and commercialization rights of Effi-7. Photo: courtesy of jk1991 and Freedigitalphotos.net.