AstraZeneca purchases rights to Orexo’s OX-CLI project

AstraZeneca has acquired the rights to Orexo's OX-CLI project, its leukotriene C4 synthase inhibitor program.

The pharmaceutical firm began collaborating with Orexo on the project three years ago, but only now has it decided to purchase all rights in the program.

Nikolaj Sørensen, chief executive of Orexo AB, commented: "It is an important sign of confidence in OX-CLI, from one of the leading companies within respiratory diseases. 

"We look forward to following the continued product development of OX-CLI, which we believe has the potential to become an important new medication in the treatment of respiratory diseases.”

Maarten Kraan of AstraZeneca added that pushing the boundaries of science to transform disease management and improve asthma patient outcomes is central to its respiratory strategy.

He said the OX-CLI compounds could enable the company to offer a completely new personalised treatment for patients whose condition is caused by the dysregulation of leukotrienes.