Roche buys Toyama''s arthritis drug for $370 million

Mumbai: Swiss drugmaker Roche has bought the rights to develop and market a novel oral rheumatoid arthritis agent T-5224 from Japan's Toyama Chemical, for $370 million and royalties.

T-5224, currently in early-stage Phase I trials, inhibits a specific inflammatory process and has the potential to block symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as well as the progressive destruction of joint and bone, Roche said.

The new agent could form the basis for a new drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Roche said.

Toyama would receive upfront payments and milestone payments totalling $370 million from the licensing deal, and would receive royalties if the new drug reaches the market, Roche said.

This novel oral compound complements Roche's developing portfolio of drug candidates in inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. "T-5224 has the potential to inhibit a key trigger of rheumatoid arthritis and has already shown promising pharmacological efficacy and safety in early clinical studies," said Jean-Jacques Garaud, head of Roche pharma development.

By inhibiting a specific inflammatory process, T-5224 has the potential to block signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as well as the progressive destruction of joint and bone. T-5224 is currently in phase I. With this partnership, Roche is further strengthening its promising portfolio and R&D pipeline in the area of rheumatoid arthritis.

"Our new collaboration is good news for all patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as for our two companies. We are looking forward to collaborating with our new colleagues in Japan to develop T-5224," Roche said in a press release.

"By entering into a research and development collaboration with Roche, one of the world's leading research and development companies, we are able to increase Toyama's potential for novel drug development in the anti-inflammatory field, which is a field of concentration for Toyama Chemical," said Masuji Sugata, president of Toyama
Roche had, earlier this month, unveiled positive results for its Actemra rheumatoid arthritis drug, saying the Phase III drug was as effective as existing treatments without producing any serious safety concerns.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of multiple joints and fatigue as well as the possibility of osteoporosis, anaemia, and lung, skin and liver effects. This inflammation causes pain, stiffness and swelling, resulting in loss of joint function due to destruction of the bone and cartilage, often leading to progressive disability. RA affects more than 21 million people worldwide.

Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche), based in Nutley, N.J., is the US pharmaceuticals headquarters of the Roche Group, one of the world's leading research-oriented healthcare groups with core businesses in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. The company sees the emerging franchise in autoimmune diseases with rheumatoid arthritis as one of the most important drivers for growth at Roche over the next few years.

Toyama Chemical specialises in research and development. Toyama concentrates its R&D in three fields: anti-infective agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and cerebral function improvers and cardiovascular drugs. Pharmaceuticals now in the pipeline include T-3811, a synthetic antibacterial agent; T-614, an oral anti-rheumatic agent; and T-817MA, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The company has formed strategic partnerships with domestic and overseas pharmaceutical manufacturers as well as establishing clinical research subsidiaries in the US and UK .