Amgen, Daiichi Sankyo reach deal on bone antibody

TOKYO—Amgen and Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. have announced a collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of denosumab in Japan. Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the RANK Ligand (an essential mediator of cells that break down bone) and is being investigated for its potential to treat and prevent a broad range of bone loss conditions including osteoporosis and bone metastases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen has granted Daiichi Sankyo exclusive rights to develop and commercialize denosumab in Japan in post-menopausal osteoporosis and oncology with the potential for additional indications. As part of the agreement, Amgen will receive exclusive worldwide rights to certain Daiichi Sankyo intellectual property to the extent applicable to denosumab.

Terms of the deal include an upfront payment to Amgen of $20 million. In addition, Daiichi Sankyo will assume all development costs for denosumab in Japan and will pay approximately $150 million of expected worldwide development costs for denosumab through 2009.

 In consideration of its intellectual property, Daiichi Sankyo is also eligible to receive milestone payments dependent on the approval of denosumab in the European Union or Japan, in two indications. In connection with its activities under the collaboration and license agreement, Daiichi Sankyo will pay royalties on annual net sales of denosumab in Japan in amounts commensurate with a major late-stage product for the Japan market.

"Daiichi Sankyo is an ideal partner for denosumab," says Kevin Sharer, chairman and CEO of Amgen. "Daiichi Sankyo is uniquely positioned to bring this potential therapy to patients with a wide spectrum of bone-related diseases in Japan."

Takashi Shoda, president and CEO of Daiichi Sankyo, says: "We believe that denosumab has the potential to be a first-in-class, leading product in Japan for multiple indications within Daiichi Sankyo's therapeutic areas of focus. Denosumab's potential applicability in oncology makes it an important part of the foundation for our growing oncology business." Daiichi Sankyo has a full range of commercial capabilities, including in the primary care and hospital settings, a track record of successful large, first-in-class product launches and the financial strength to ensure appropriate investment in the product.