CSL and Alentis Announce Global Partnership to Develop and Commercialize Lixudebart for Rare Kidney and Liver Diseases
CSL and Alentis Therapeutics have entered an exclusive global collaboration to co-develop and co-promote lixudebart, a potential first-in-class antibody targeting claudin-1, across kidney, liver and other diseases. The lead indication is ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (AAV-RPGN), currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 RENAL trial. The companies will also advance lixudebart in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Under the agreement, CSL will make an initial payment of US$355 million to Alentis, which is eligible for up to US$1.2 billion in commercial milestones. CSL will fully fund the Phase 2 RENAL trial, a planned Phase 3 trial in AAV-RPGN, and Phase 2 trials in FSGS and PSC. Once commercialized, global profits will be shared 55% to CSL and 45% to Alentis.
CSL leaders have also shared perspectives on the importance of the alliance, including Hervé Gisserot, EVP, Business Development & Alliance Management, and Stephen Pitt, Ph.D., Vice President and Global Head of Search & Evaluation.
