Unilife partners with Amgen for injectable drug delivery systems

Under the terms of the deal, Unilife grants Amgen exclusive rights to its wearable injectors within select drug classes for use with certain Amgen drugs.

Amgen will also gain non-exclusive rights to all Unilife delivery systems within oncology, inflammation, bone health, nephrology, cardiovascular and neuroscience therapeutic areas.

Unilife is eligible to receive up to $75m, including an upfront license fee of $20m. Amgen purchased a $30m senior secured convertible note from Unilife.

Amgen also has the option to buy an additional $25m in senior secured convertible notes over the next two years.

The amounts are in addition to the $15m Amgen paid to Unilife in December last year in connection with the exclusivity letter.

Apart from the payments, Unilife anticipates to generate future revenue from the collaboration, which includes a master development and supply agreement. Development programs will start this year.

Amgen senior vice president of process development Alison Moore said: "One important pillar of Amgen’s strategy is to invest in leading drug delivery technologies to more effectively meet the needs of patients suffering from serious illnesses.

"Unilife continues to develop technology that could provide patients with innovative and meaningful enhancements to drug administration."