ImmuPharma, Avion ink Lupuzor deal

ImmuPharma and Avion Pharmaceuticals have signed an exclusive licensing agreement for Lupuzor (rigerimod), ImmuPharma’s lead compound, a peptide therapeutic and a first-in class autophagy immunomodulator for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). Under the terms of the deal, the companies will co-develop Lupuzor to allow registration for marketing in the US, Europe and elsewhere, and Avion will commercialise the drug exclusively for the US. ImmuPharma will also retain all the rights to commercialise Lupuzor outside of the US, either through distribution partnerships or directly by ImmuPharma. Further, Avion is set to fund a new international Phase III trial with costs up to $25 million. Last year Immupharma announced top-line trial results from its pivotal Phase III trial of the drug in lupus, in which it showed statistically significant reductions (71.1% vs 48.8%) in disease activity compared to placebo plus standard of care.