AbbVie, Receptos enter orphan drug co-development deal

Hannah Blake

pharmaphorum

Abbott’s newly formed pharmaceutical business, AbbVie, has entered into a development license and option agreement with Receptos Inc. The aim of the agreement is to demonstrate proof-of-concept in Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), an indication designated as an Orphan Disease by the US FDA, in phase 2 clinical trials. Eosinophilic esophagitis (eosinophilic oesophagitis) is an allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus.

The agreement allows Receptos to in-license a humanized anti-interleukin-13 (IL-13) antibody asset from AbbVie. The asset, designated RPC4046 by Receptos, has completed a first-in-human phase 1 study.

AbbVie holds an exclusive option to enter into global co-development collaboration for RPC4046 with Receptos following results of the planned phase 2 study and regulatory discussions with the FDA.

“We are honored that AbbVie has entrusted a promising Phase 2-ready therapeutic candidate to the Receptos development team to pursue proof-of-conceptin EoE, an Orphan Disease growing in prevalence for which there are no approved treatment options. We believe that AbbVie’s exceptional track record in immunology will be a strong asset in this collaboration.”

Faheem Hasnain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Receptos.

Upon exercise of the co-development option, AbbVie and Receptos would enter into a collaboration agreement in which the parties would equally share costs of the phase 3 clinical program and future development on a global basis.