Alexion Inks Two Partnerships: Affibody AB and Zealand Pharma

Alexion Pharmaceuticals announced two big collaboration partnerships today. First, Alexion, headquartered in Boston, and Affibody AB, located in Solna, Sweden, signed a partnership deal to co-develop ABY-039 for Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated autoimmune diseases. ABY-039 is currently in Phase I development. It is a bivalent antibody-mimetic targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and has been designed to combine Affibody’s protein therapeutics platform and Albumod technology for a longer half-life. This makes for better options for subcutaneous injection. The Phase I trial is in healthy volunteers and is designed to evaluate its safety and tolerability, as well as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Under the terms of the deal, Alexion is paying Affibody $25 million upfront with various milestones totaling up to $625 million, along with tiered low double-digit royalties based on any commercialization of the product. Alexion will lead the clinical development and commercialization activities. Affibody has an option to co-promote the therapy in the U.S. and will lead clinical development for an undisclosed indication.