AstraZeneca recovers rights to brazikumab from Allergan.

AstraZeneca will recover the global rights to brazikumab (formerly MEDI 2070), a monoclonal antibody targeting IL23, from Allergan. Brazikumab is currently in a Phase IIb/III programme in Crohn’s disease (CD)1 and a Phase IIb trial in ulcerative colitis (UC). AstraZeneca and Allergan will terminate their existing license agreement and all rights to brazikumab will revert to AstraZeneca. The transaction is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2020, subject to regulatory approvals associated with AbbVie’s proposed acquisition of Allergan and its timely completion. Under the termination agreement, Allergan will fund up to an agreed amount, estimated to be the total costs expected to be incurred by AstraZeneca until completion of development for brazikumab in CD and UC, including the development of a companion diagnostic. Pursuant to the 2012 collaboration between Amgen and AstraZeneca to jointly develop and commercialise a clinical-stage inflammation portfolio, Amgen is entitled to receive a high single-digit to low double-digit royalty on sales of brazikumab if approved and launched. This includes the original inventor royalty. Other than this, AstraZeneca will own all rights and benefits arising from the product with no other payments due to Amgen.