Advertise With UsAdvertise on our extensive network of industry websites and newsletters.
Get the PBR newsletterSign up to our free email to get all the latest PBR
news.Eisai has signed an agreement to transfer the exclusive global development and commercialization rights, excluding Japan and Asia, to its cancer drug candidate E7777 to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
The companies did not disclose the value of the deal, even though Dr. Reddy’s said it will pay Eisai milestone payments related to securing marketing approval and achieving sales targets.
Eisai will oversee development and marketing of E7777 in Japan and Asia, while Dr. Reddy’s holds rights to develop and market the candidate through an option in India, along with other regions.
E7777 is a fusion protein that combines the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor binding domain with diphtheria toxin fragments.
It binds to IL-2 receptors on the cell surface, resulting in diphtheria toxin fragments that have entered cells to inhibit protein synthesis.
A phase 2 study in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or peripheral T-cell lymphoma is underway in Japan. A phase 3 study in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is being planned in the US.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories executive vice president, proprietary products group Raghav Chari said: "E7777 has significant potential as an important component of systemic therapy for CTCL (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma).
"This therapy represents an extension of our current efforts in the dermatology space to an important segment of skin-related cancers."
The deal is the second portfolio-building agreement signed this week by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.
Earlier this week, the company bought exclusive US rights to XenoPort’s psoriasis drug candidate XP23829 for all indications,
Dr. Reddy’s agreed to pay XenoPort about $490m in exchange for the rights including certain regulatory and commercial milestones.
Image: Dr. Reddy’s biopharma finished dosage Unit III in Hyderabad, India. Photo: courtesy of Arichuvadi.