Bristol-Myers in deal for rights to investigational liver fibrosis drug

US pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement for a Phase Ib asset in development for advanced liver fibrosis.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will make an upfront payment of $100 million to Japan’s Nitto Denko (TYO: 6988). In return, B-MS gains exclusive worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of Nitto’s investigational siRNA molecules targeting heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) in vitamin A containing formulations, which includes Nitto’s lead asset ND-L02-s0201, currently in Phase Ib study for the treatment of advanced liver fibrosis. The agreement also grants the US drugmaker the option to receive exclusive licenses for HSP47 siRNAs in vitamin A containing formulations for the treatment of lung fibrosis and other organ fibrosis. The agreement is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.