BMS Enters into License Agreement for NASH Drug

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The agreement allows Bristol-Myers Squibb exclusive license to manufacture and commercialize Nitto Denko Corporation’s NASH treatment.

On Nov. 10, 2016, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) entered into a license agreement with Nitto Denko Corporation, a Japanese materials manufacturer, for Nitto’s investigational siRNA molecules targeting heat shock protein 47 (HSP47). This list of molecules includes Nitto’s lead asset ND-L02-s0201, currently in Phase Ib study for the treatment of advanced liver fibrosis. The agreement also grants BMS the option to receive exclusive licenses for HSP47 siRNAs in vitamin A containing formulations for the treatment of lung fibrosis and other organ fibrosis.

Nitto’s lead product, ND-L02-s0201, is a targeted siRNA therapy that is designed to inhibit HSP47, a collagen specific chaperone that regulates collagen synthesis and secretion, prevents further collagen deposition, and enables resolution of existing fibrosis. Nitto is currently conducting a five-week open-label Phase 1b study in patients with advanced fibrosis (F3-F4c) due to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

(NASH) or hepatitis C. FDA granted fast-track designation to ND-L02-s0201 for two indications, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis secondary to NASH and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C.

“We believe our investigational anti-fibrosis drug has the potential to make a significant contribution to help patients with advanced liver fibrosis. We are very excited that Bristol-Myers Squibb joins our effort, as this will provide an accelerated development for this compound,” said Hideo Takasaki, CEO, Nitto Denko Corporation in a statement. “From now on, Nitto group will support Bristol-Myers Squibb for further development and will continue our efforts to develop other organ fibrosis treatments including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) through our newly established Nitto BioPharma Inc.”

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Under the terms of the agreement, BMS will make an upfront payment of $100 million to Nitto. BMS will be responsible for the development, manufacture, and commercialization of HSP47 siRNAs in vitamin A containing formulations for all liver diseases. Nitto is also eligible to receive subsequent clinical and regulatory milestone payments, royalties, sales-based milestone payments as well as option exercise payments for lung and other organ fibrosis.

Source: Bristol-Myers Squibb