News From Transplant Week of April 14, 2002 / Vol. 3 No. 15

 

Roche in Agreement to Co-Develop Isotechnika Immunosuppressive Drug
 

Roche announced it has signed a $215 million agreement to co-develop the Isotechnika drug ISA(TX)247, a calcineurin inhibitor currently in phase II trials as an immunosuppressive drug for kidney transplant recipients.

"Early studies indicate that ISA[TX]247 is considerably more potent and far less toxic compared to other immunosuppressants in this class, such as cyclosporin A," the two companies said in a statement.

The co-development agreement represents the largest pact between a large pharmaceutical company and a Canadian biotech company for the commercialisation of a single drug.

Under the terms of the agreement:

  • Roche will make up-front and milestone payments to Isotechnika that if all milestones are achieved will total $215 million (US);
  • Roche will pay Isotechnika a percentage of gross profits;
  • Roche will contribute 70% of the development cost of
    this drug;
  • Roche will have exclusive world-wide marketing rights to ISA[TX]247.

"Our exciting new partnership with Roche provides critical peer recognition of the enormous potential of ISA[TX]247 to become the leading global immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation and in the treatment for auto-immune diseases," said Dr. Randall Yatscoff, President and COO of Isotechnika.

Other sources: Roche, Isotechnika