Eli Lilly and Australian biotech firm CSL entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for clazakizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody1
Lilly paid CSL $100 million upfront with potential additional clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments plus royalties on global net sales14
CSL retains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize clazakizumab for preventing cardiovascular events in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD)4
Lilly will develop the antibody for other indications beyond ESKD-related cardiovascular risk4
CSL is currently advancing the Phase 3 POSIBIL6ESKD trial evaluating the therapy's safety and efficacy in dialysis patients at risk of major cardiovascular events4
Clazakizumab blocks IL-6 from binding to its receptor, reducing inflammatory signaling associated with disease progression4
The drug was originally developed by Vitaeris, which CSL acquired in 20202
Sources:
1. https://www.finedayradio.com/news/tv-delmarva-channel-33/australian-biotech-firm-secures-rights-to-promising-heart-drug-for-kidney-patients/
2. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/lilly-deal-csl-100m-license-monoclonal-antibody-targeting-il-6/812455/
4. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/eli-lilly-100-million-licensing-agreement-csl-limited-for-clazakizumab