Amgen has inked a $520 million deal to acquire Kyowa Hakko's humanized monoclonal antibody (MAb) KW-0761, a treatment for inflammation and oncology settings. Tokyo-based Kyowa Hakko gains $100 billion up front and up to $420 million in development, approval and sales milestones. Amgen has worldwide rights to the drug outside of Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. KW-0761 is currently undergoing Phase I studies for lymphoma patients; a trial in allergic rhinitis patients has already been completed.
MAbs are currently one of the most attractive segments of the biotech industry. A recent Datamonitor report projected 14 percent annual growth in the market for the antibody drugs, by far the fastest-growing segment of the industry.
- here's Amgen's release