In a bid to bolster its already successful immunology program, AbbVie is handing over nearly $50 million in upfront cash for Cugene’s top autoimmune asset on the verge of hitting the clinic.
Fleshed-out details were hard to come by, with the number of eligible milestone dollars and royalties that Cugene stands to make still undisclosed when the $48.5 million payment was announced Monday. AbbVie is also eligible for other “certain” reengineered proteins from Cugene, but how many remains unknown.
For AbbVie, the bolt-on asset, CUG252, fortifies the company’s already strong immunology program currently led by approved meds Skyrizi and Rinvoq. The two combined for more than $4.5 billion in sales in 2021. But AbbVie is also looking for a worthy replacement (or replacements) for Humira, the company’s existing $20 billion-a-year blockbuster autoimmune therapy that is slated for patent expiration in 2023.
CUH252 will join an immunology roster that does not currently have a phase 3 product outside of AbbVie's approved drugs.
“AbbVie is committed to developing novel therapies in immunology where unmet needs remain for patients living with complex autoimmune and inflammatory conditions," said Tom Hudson, M.D., senior vice president of R&D and chief scientific officer for AbbVie. "Our partnership with Cugene is the latest in our efforts to develop and advance potential next-generation therapies like CUG252."
As for Cugene, parting with its Treg-selective IL-2 mutein is a concerted decision that will focus the company entirely on its oncology program, as CUG252 is the only non-cancer drug currently in the biotech's pipeline. The drug is an IL-2 variant meant to reinvigorate the body’s regulatory T-cell response, thus correcting inflammation.
Under the terms of the deal, Cugene will conduct a phase 1b trial of the med in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases while AbbVie considers signing on for good. If the Chicago-based Big Pharma follows through, it will take the development baton and conduct all future clinical and commercial work.