Yuhan will receive an upfront payment of $50 million and is eligible to receive up to $1,205 million in potential development and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered double-digit royalties on future net sales.
Yuhan Corporation (000100.KS; Yuhan), one of the largest and most respected pharmaceutical companies in the Republic of Korea, announced today that it has entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Janssen Biotech Inc. (Janssen) to develop Lazertinib, a novel clinical-stage therapeutic candidate for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Under the terms of the agreement, Yuhan will receive an upfront payment of $50 million and is eligible to receive up to $1,205 million in potential development and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered double-digit royalties on future net sales. In return, Janssen will assume responsibility for development, manufacturing and commercialization with exclusive worldwide rights to Lazertinib excluding the Republic of Korea, where the rights are retained by Yuhan. The two companies will collaborate on global clinical trials evaluating Lazertinib both in monotherapy and combination regimens, trials are anticipated to begin in 2019.
Lazertinib is a potent, mutant-selective, irreversible, brain-penetrant and orally active 3rd generation EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor for NSCLC with various EGFR mutations, which may have potential as a first-line therapy. The compound is currently in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial in the Republic of Korea. Interim results showed that Lazertinib exhibited robust disease activity in patients with NSCLC with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs, with or without brain metastasis and was well-tolerated with low rates of Grade 3 or higher adverse events.. These results indicate that Lazertinib may offer the possibility of a wider therapeutic index, making it a potential best-in-class candidate as a combination regimen.
“Yuhan is committed to developing Lazertinib as an effective treatment option for patients suffering from NSCLC. And Janssen, with strong scientific expertise in lung cancer and oncology, is the best strategic partner to achieve this mission. We are excited to start this collaboration and dive into advancing this treatment regimen with a focus on improving the lives of people who suffer from lung cancer,” said Mr. Jung Hee Lee, President and CEO of Yuhan.
About Yuhan Corporation
Yuhan Corporation is a South Korea-based healthcare company founded in 1926. The company has positioned itself as one of the top pharmaceutical companies in terms of market cap and sales revenue in Korea. The core business consists of primary & specialty care, dietary supplements, household & animal care, and contract manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients. It has a number of subsidiaries and a global presence in the form of joint ventures with the Clorox Company (USA) and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (USA). Yuhan (000100:KS) is a publicly-listed company traded on the Korea Stock Exchange.
