Gilead and LEO Pharma Enter $1.7B Strategic Partnership to Advance Oral STAT6 Inhibitor for Inflammatory Diseases

Jan 12, 2025 09:57 CST Updated 09:57

LEO Pharma

Multinational pharmaceutical company

Gilead Sciences

Antiviral Drug Developer

On January 11, Foster City, California, and Ballerup, Denmark – Gilead Sciences and LEO Pharma announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of LEO Pharma's small molecule oral STAT6 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6) inhibitor program, aimed at potentially treating patients with inflammatory diseases.

STAT6 is a specific transcription factor required for IL-4 and IL-13 cytokine signaling, which are clinically validated targets for Th2-mediated inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and COPD. Targeting STAT6 has demonstrated potential in preclinical studies for treating a broad patient population and offers an oral alternative for patients currently receiving injectable biologics.

According to this partnership, Gilead Sciences will acquire LEO Pharma'sPreclinical Oral STAT6 Small Molecule Inhibitors and Targeted Protein DegradersGilead Sciences will lead the further development of oral medications, while LEO Pharma will lead the development of potential topical formulations of the STAT6 inhibitor.

Flavius Martin, MD, Executive Vice President of Gilead Sciences, said:"As we continue to expand our inflammation portfolio, we are committed to developing next-generation therapies that support long-term remission for patients with inflammatory diseases through mechanisms that block key pathogenic pathways, eliminate pathogenic cells, tolerize the immune system, and restore cellular function. By collaborating with LEO Pharma, we aim to explore the potential of the STAT6 pathway to provide an oral option for patients with chronic inflammation."

LEO Pharma CEO Christophe Bourdon said:"STAT6 has the potential to treat various inflammatory diseases, including external skin conditions. This strategic partnership with Gilead will enable us to accelerate the development of the STAT6 program and maximize its potential in dermatology and beyond. This collaboration acknowledges LEO Pharma's scientific capabilities and reinforces our commitment to innovation for patients with skin diseases."

Gilead Sciences will hold the global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the small-molecule oral STAT6 program. LEO Pharma may have the opportunity to co-commercialize the dermatology oral program outside the United States. LEO Pharma will possess the global exclusive rights to the topical formulation of STAT6 for dermatology.

LEO Pharma is eligible to obtainTotal payments of up to $1.7 billion, including a $250 million upfront payment. In addition, LEO Pharma may also receive tiered royalties ranging from high single digits to mid-teens on the sales of oral STAT6 products. Gilead Sciences may receive tiered royalties ranging from high single digits to mid-teens on the sales of topical STAT6 products.Royalty。

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