Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a new licensing agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical to expand its pipeline for treating atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Under the deal, J&J will acquire exclusive global rights to Kaken’s STAT6 program, which targets autoimmune and allergic diseases, including AD.
The agreement covers the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the program, which features Kaken’s lead oral candidate, KP-723. This candidate is expected to enter Phase 1 clinical trials for AD later this year. However, Kaken will retain commercialization rights in Japan, with J&J having the option to enter into a co-promotion agreement in the region.
While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, J&J confirmed that Kaken will be eligible to receive an equity investment through the company’s venture capital arm, J&J Innovation.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, affects more than 9.6 million children and 16.5 million adults in the United States. The disease is caused by an overactive immune system that damages the skin barrier, resulting in dryness, itching, rashes, and increased vulnerability to skin infections.
The STAT6 pathway is a critical component in the inflammatory process, particularly in type 2 diseases like AD. It selectively mediates the signaling of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, cytokines that are central to these conditions.
“STAT6 represents a promising area of research, as it offers the potential for an effective and safe oral treatment option for people managing AD and other autoimmune diseases,” said David Lee, Global Immunology Therapeutic Area Head at J&J Innovative Medicine. “To address the significant unmet needs of patients with AD and asthma, we need multiple treatment candidates that target the key pathways driving disease progression.”
This licensing deal follows J&J’s strategic acquisitions in the AD space. In the past six months, the company completed its $850 million acquisition of Proteologix, gaining access to two investigational bi-specific antibodies for moderate-to-severe AD and asthma. In July, J&J also secured global rights to another bi-specific antibody for AD through its $1.25 billion acquisition of Yellow Jersey, a subsidiary of Numab Therapeutics.
With these latest moves, J&J is further solidifying its position in the competitive dermatology and immunology markets, aiming to address the pressing needs of patients suffering from chronic conditions like atopic dermatitis.
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