MedImmune announces in-licensing agreement with Amgen for IL-1 pathway targeting novel monoclonal antibody

MedImmune today announced an in-licensing agreement with Amgen for a novel monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-1 pathway.  The antibody, AMG 108, a fully human monoclonal antibody to the IL-1 receptor, has been studied in multiple phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials and will now be explored by MedImmune for its potential against certain inflammatory diseases.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen grants MedImmune rights to develop AMG 108 worldwide, outside of Japan.  Terms of the agreement include an upfront payment, development-related milestone payments for multiple indications, and royalties upon sale of a commercial product.  Financial details will not be disclosed.

"Recent data indicates the importance of the IL-1 pathway in a variety of inflammatory conditions, and AMG 108 represents a compelling opportunity to explore this antibody's activity against various diseases for which patients need new treatment options," said Bahija Jallal, executive vice president of research and development at MedImmune.  

The exploration of AMG 108 is strategically aligned with the organization's commitment to advancing promising biological assets from both internal and external sources.