AB2 Bio signs option and licensing agreement with Nippon Shinyaku

Niederer Kraft Frey advised AB2 Bio Ltd, a Lausanne, Switzerland based biotechnology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of severe systemic hyperinflammatory diseases and conditions driven by IL-18, on Swiss law matters in connection with the entry into an option and licensing agreement with Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd., a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nippon Shinyaku received an option to acquire exclusive U.S. rights to commercialize Tadekinig alfa to treat Primary Monogenic IL-18 driven Hyperinflammatory Syndrome, a rare and potentially life-threatening pediatric disease that, if left untreated, may rapidly lead to multiple-organ failure and death. AB2 Bio will continue to prepare for filing for U.S. Biologics License Application (BLA) approval for Tadekinig alfa in the indication.

AB2 Bio receives early payments of up to USD 36 million (including an initial payment of USD 6 million upon closing) and would be eligible for development milestone payments of up to USD 150 million and commercial milestone and royalty payments of up to USD 500 million.

The NKF team was led by Corporate/M&A partner Jacques Bonvin, working with partner Andrea Wuerzner (Corporate/M&A) and associate Boris Catzeflis (Corporate/M&A and Technology).