Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq: INCY) announced today that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement for the development and commercialization of Incyte's oral JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, INCB28050, and certain follow on compounds, for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The lead compound, INCB28050, is currently being studied in a six-month dose-ranging Phase II trial for rheumatoid arthritis.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will receive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize INCB28050 as an oral treatment for all inflammatory conditions. In exchange for these rights, Incyte will receive an initial payment of $90 million and is eligible for up to $665 million in additional potential development, regulatory, and commercialization milestones, as well as tiered, double-digit royalty payments on future global sales with rates ranging up to twenty percent if a product is successfully commercialized.
"This new alliance with Incyte reinforces Lilly's commitment to expand our presence in inflammation and autoimmunity through the development of a new class of oral anti-inflammatory therapies," said Eiry Roberts, M.D. Lilly vice president for autoimmune product development. "We look forward to continuing the development of INCB28050 in RA and initiating additional clinical studies to help address the unmet patient needs from debilitating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases."
Paul Friedman, Incyte's president and chief executive officer, stated, "Lilly's success in bringing novel therapies to market, their commitment to building a franchise in inflammation and autoimmunity, and their enthusiasm regarding the potential of JAK inhibition gives us confidence that the full therapeutic and commercial potential of INCB28050 in RA as well as other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions can be rapidly and effectively achieved through this agreement. This collaboration leverages the capabilities and strengths of each partner and achieves our objective to retain significant value for Incyte's shareholders."