Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) has acquired the United States rights for Synagis (palivizumab), a drug developed for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), from AstraZeneca.
It was reported yesterday that the deal is valued at around USD1.6bn. It also provides Biovitrum AB with the right to participate in payments from the US profits or losses for new medicine, MEDI8897, in development for RSV-induced lower respiratory tract infection. Under the deal, around 130 employees from AstraZeneca have joined Sobi, which commercialises Synagis in the United States.
AstraZeneca will continue to develop the product in collaboration with Sanofi's vaccines division, Sanofi Pasteur. Under the contract, AstraZeneca has secured USD1.0bn in cash and USD590m in ordinary shares of Biovitrum AB, which is equal to an ownership interest of 8%. AstraZeneca intends to retain the shares for one year.
Clover Bio announces SCB-1019 vaccine candidate Phase I trial data in initial young adult cohort
Sanofi launches Verorab for rabies prophylaxis in UK
BioVaxys expands patent portfolio for DPX delivery platform and advances DPX SurMAGE
VGXI names new chief accounting officer
Moderna reports positive interim results from next-generation COVID-19 vaccine trial
Valneva launches Phase 1 trial for next-generation Zika vaccine
Circio Holding ASA confirms licensing deal with IOVaxis Therapeutics in China and Singapore
Everest Medicines names new chief medical officer and chief product officer
Pfizer's PREVENAR 20 gains European Commission approval for paediatric pneumococcal vaccine
Virbac expands presence in Japan with Sasaeah acquisition
Pfizer reveals strong efficacy data for ABRYSVO in older adults against RSV