Janssen gains rights to new Astellas immunology compound

Janssen has agreed a deal with Astellas that will give it worldwide development and commercialisation rights to a new janus kinase inhibitor therapy.

The agreement will see Janssen take responsibility for the further development of ASP015K as an oral treatment for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in all countries except Japan.

ASP015K is currently in phase IIb development as a once-daily oral treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, while a previous phase IIa trial has demonstrated its potential in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Astellas will be responsible for completing the ongoing phase IIb studies, while Janssen will take charge of all other development, clinical and regulatory filing activities in its territories.

Dr Susan Dillon, global therapeutic area head for immunology at Janssen Research and Development, said: "We are committed to expanding the portfolio of new treatments for patients with serious immune-mediated diseases and are excited to add Astellas' ASP015K to our pipeline."

This comes after the firm received European regulatory approval for the oncology products Dacogen and Velcade over the last week.