Shire in-licences Celiac disease compound

Shire has announced an expansion of its gastrointestinal drug development portfolio through the in-licensing of AT-1001 from Alba Therapeutics in all countries, except Japan and the US.

AT-1001 is a compound currently in phase II of clinical development for the treatment of Celiac disease.

It is an inhibitor of barrier dysfunction in a number of gastrointestinal disorders, with Shire acquiring the rights to all potential indications for the drug, such as Crohn’s disease.

Under the terms of the deal, Shire will pay Alba an initial sum of $25 million (12.3 million pounds), with further milestone payments available of up to $300.5 million if the drug reaches blockbuster status, in addition to royalties on net sales.

“Alba and Shire will form a joint development committee to monitor research and development activities of AT-1001,” Shire reports.

“Alba will fund all development until AT-1001 has completed proof of concept, which is expected to be in the first half of 2009.”

After this point, the companies will share the development costs of the compound through a joint plan for the drug.

Earlier this month, Shire published the results of a survey regarding ulcerative colitis, with the data showing that almost three-quarters of patients with the disease believe that feeling unwell is a normal part of life.