CSL and Alentis partner on rare disease drug deal worth up to $1.6 billion

CSL Alentis Therapeutics lixudebart rare disease drug biopharmaceutical partnership

CSL and Alentis Therapeutics have entered into an exclusive global collaboration agreement to co-develop and co-promote lixudebart, a potential first-in-class therapy targeting claudin-1 for rare kidney and liver diseases.

Under the terms of the deal, CSL will provide an initial payment of US$355 million to Alentis, with Alentis eligible for up to US$1.2 billion in commercial milestone payments. CSL will also fully fund the completion of the ongoing Phase 2 RENAL trial, as well as planned Phase 3 and Phase 2 studies for other indications. Once commercialized, global profits will be shared, with CSL receiving 55% and Alentis receiving 45%.

Lixudebart is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 trial for ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (AAV-RPGN), a life-threatening autoimmune disease. The companies also intend to advance the drug as a treatment for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).