Zenyaku terminates blisibimod development deal with Anthera Pharmaceuticals

Both the companies signed license deal in December 2014. The termination starts on 7 January 2016.

Anthera will regain all worldwide rights for blisibimod without cost and Zenyaku should continue several funding obligations during the termination period.

Before termination, Zenyaku purchased $9m of Anthera common stock at a thirty-percent premium to a trailing market price.

Blisibimod is a selective peptibody antagonist of the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) cytokine, a member of the tumor necrosis family that is critical to the development, maintenance and survival of B-cells.

It binds to BAFF and inhibits the interaction of BAFF with its receptors to reduce the number of B-cells and weaken the immune response.

Anthera plans to explore its potential in autoimmune disorders, with initial focus on lupus.

Anthera president and CEO Paul Truex said: "Progress of blisibimod in Japan, particularly for IgA nephropathy, has been disappointing.

"Zenyaku’s termination of the License Agreement will provide flexibility for us to pursue a potentially optimized development path for blisibimod in IgA nephropathy and facilitate discussions with alternative partners in Asia at the appropriate time.

"As a result of our financing efforts over the past twelve months, including Zenyaku’s substantial equity investments and cost reimbursements, we remain well funded to advance the development of blisibimod and Sollpura."

Zenyaku currently markets Rituxan, an anti-CD20 antibody, in Japan where it is approved for CD20 positive B-Cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, ANCA associated vasculitis (GPA, MPA), and pediatric nephrotic syndrome.

Image: Anthera said progress of blisibimod in Japan, particularly for IgA nephropathy, has been disappointing. Photo: courtesy of Lazarus Karamadoukis, Linmarie Ludeman and Anthony J Williams.