AstraZeneca and Leo Pharma announce new licensing deals

AstraZeneca has signed new licensing agreements with Leo Pharma to maximise the potential of its compounds with potential dermatological applications.

The first deal gives Leo Pharma the global licence to tralokinumab in skin diseases. This anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody has already completed a phase IIb trial for the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis.

AstraZeneca will retain all rights to tralokinumab in respiratory disease and any other indications outside of dermatology.

Luke Miels, executive vice-president for global product and portfolio strategy at AstraZeneca, said: "This agreement allows us to concentrate our efforts on tralokinumab's potential for patients with severe asthma, a priority area for AstraZeneca, while benefitting from Leo Pharma's expertise in dermatology."

Meanwhile, AstraZeneca has terminated the licence for Valeant's right to develop and commercialise the drug brodalumab in Europe, providing Leo Pharma with an exclusive licence to the compound instead.

This IL-17 receptor monoclonal antibody is under regulatory review for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and in development for psoriatic arthritis.