AstraZeneca Completes Reacquisition of Global Rights to Brazikumab (MEDI2070) from Allergan

Compiled by S. Li

AstraZeneca recently announced that it has completed the reacquisition of global rights to the IL-23 monoclonal antibody brazikumab (formerly known as MEDI2070) from Allergan, in accordance with the termination agreement signed in January this year.

The termination agreement stipulates that Allergan shall provide financial support for AstraZeneca’s subsequent development of brazikumab, with the agreement amount covering the estimated total R&D costs and companion diagnostic costs for AstraZeneca to complete the development of the drug for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Meanwhile, brazikumab is also subject to a 2012 agreement between AstraZeneca and Amgen for the development and commercialization of a clinical-stage anti-inflammatory product portfolio. Under this agreement, Amgen is entitled to receive royalties ranging from 5% to 13% of sales revenue after brazikumab’s approval and market launch, including original inventor royalties.

Brazikumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the IL-23 receptor, selectively blocking IL-23 immune signaling to prevent intestinal inflammation. It is currently under development for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), along with an associated biomarker. In Phase II clinical trials, brazikumab demonstrated clinical efficacy at week 8 in patients with tumor necrosis factor-refractory CD. Another Phase IIb/III clinical trial, named INTREPID, is ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of brazikumab compared with placebo or adalimumab in the treatment of CD. The currently ongoing Phase II clinical trial, EXPEDITION, is assessing the performance of brazikumab in the treatment of UC compared with placebo or vedolizumab.

As is well known, the divestiture of brazikumab by Allergan was one of the conditions for the FTC’s approval of AbbVie’s acquisition of Allergan. In 2016, Allergan entered into a collaboration and development agreement worth up to $1.52 billion with MedImmune, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca, to license in the product. At that time, AstraZeneca sought to divest this therapeutic area to focus on R&D in its three core therapeutic areas, while Allergan aimed to strengthen its portfolio in inflammation and autoimmunity. Now that brazikumab has returned to AstraZeneca’s portfolio, the company has stated that it remains optimistic about the drug’s potential.

References:

1、AstraZeneca recovery of global rights to brazikumab (MEDI2070) from Allergan completed

2、MedImmune out-licenses potential medicine for inflammatory diseases to Allergan