Advertisement Lilly, Hanmi to develop BTK inhibitor to treat autoimmune diseases - Pharmaceutical Business review
Pharmaceutical Business review is using cookies

ContinueLearn More
Close

Lilly, Hanmi to develop BTK inhibitor to treat autoimmune diseases

Eli Lilly and Company has entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Hanmi Pharmaceutical to develop and commercialize the latter's oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, HM71224, to treat autoimmune and other diseases.

According to the firms, the small molecule HM71224 is ready to enter Phase II and will be examined for the potential treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, lupus nephritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and other related conditions.

As part of the deal, Lilly will receive worldwide rights to the molecule for all indications excluding China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea as well as take development, regulatory, manufacturing and commercial leadership for the molecule in its territories.

The deal will see Hanmi receive an initial payment of $50m and is also eligible for about $640m in potential development, regulatory, and sales milestones.

Additionally, Hanmi is also eligible for tiered double-digit royalty payments if the BTK inhibitor is successfully commercialized.

Lilly senior vice president of biotechnology and immunology research Thomas Bumol said: "Significant unmet medical need exists in many prevalent autoimmune diseases where individual patient needs are not adequately being met with available treatments.

"Lilly is committed to changing patient expectations in some of the world’s most debilitating disease areas, and we’re building a portfolio of potential advances in immunology through our own research and key collaborations such as with Hanmi.

"We’re highly encouraged by the potential of HM71224 to deliver an innovative, first-in-class treatment option."

HM71224 has already showed proof of mechanism in preclinical studies and a Phase I trial conducted in Europe.

Hanmi Pharmaceutical CEO and President Dr Gwan Sun Lee said: "We are very pleased to be collaborating with Lilly on HM71224, and through this agreement and R&D collaborations, we are excited to drive the joint project forward with the ultimate aim to offer new medical treatment options to patients with autoimmune disorders and related conditions.