UCB to outlicense immunology drug to R-Pharm

UCB has agreed a worldwide licensing deal with Russian healthcare company R-Pharm for the development and commercialisation of the new drug olokizumab.

Under the terms of the deal, R-Pharm will gain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and sell the immunology therapy in a range of indications, with UCB receiving an upfront fee, future milestone payments and royalties.

Last September, UCB announced top-line results from a phase IIb clinical trial showing the benefits this drug can provide in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, with the firm expressing satisfaction with olokizumab's performance in the study.

It is hoped that this new alliance will allow the companies to share knowledge and expertise in a way that will prove beneficial for the global patient community.

Roch Doliveux, chief executive officer at UCB, said: "We are pleased that R-Pharm will provide a potential new treatment option for patients with immunology diseases."

Last month, UCB agreed a collaboration with 4SC Discovery and Crelux to identify and validate novel small molecule compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders.