Media Release
Basel, 25 February 2003
Roche and
Chugai to jointly develop and promote Chugai’s promising new Rheumatoid Arthritis medicine
First
licensing agreement between the two companies outside of Japan
Roche and Chugai announced today that they intend to co-develop and co-promote MRA, Chugai’s innovative biologic medicine to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). MRA is the first drug to be in-licensed by Roche from Chugai, since the alliance between Roche and Chugai to create a leading pharmaceutical company in Japan was completed in October 2002. Under this alliance, Roche has the first refusal right to license-in all products (outside Japan and South Korea) for which Chugai seeks a partner.
Roche will co-develop MRA and promote it in all countries except Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The parties will co-promote in the UK, France and Germany. Chugai reserves an opt-in right to co-promote in the USA, Italy and Spain. Under the terms of the agreement, Chugai and Roche will establish a joint development office in the UK to govern all activities with regard to the development of MRA.
Recent data show that MRA, having completed Phase II clinical development, is effective in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis and can improve lives of people suffering from this debilitating disease. MRA complements and strengthens Roche’s efforts in the area of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
“We are committed to achieving speedy implementation of the MRA development plans in collaboration with Roche. Chugai wants to maximize the commercial value of MRA in the rapidly growing biologics markets and further develop Chugai's international businesses with MRA. This is only feasible under the alliance with Roche”, said Osamu Nagayama, Chairman of Chugai.
“We are very excited to have signed the first product deal with the new member of the Roche group, Chugai. This alliance will benefit all parties involved; while Chugai brings in a very promising drug, Roche can offer its development experience and its marketing strength around the world” said Franz B. Humer, Chairman and CEO of Roche.
About
MRA
MRA is a humanized anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody and with its
novel mechanism of action will provide a new and effective form of treatment for RA. Chugai has completed
Phase II studies in Japan and Europe, and is preparing to enter Phase III clinical studies. Other indications,
such as Castleman’s disease, Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis, Crohn’s diseases and multiple myeloma are
also in clinical development.
MRA is being developed in collaboration with Osaka University.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
is an autoimmune disorder of unknown cause characterized by symmetric joint inflammation with erosive
synovitis and, in some cases extraarticular involvement. Most of patients experience a chronic fluctuating
course of disease with joint swelling and pain that, despite therapy, may result in progressive joint
destruction and ultimately lead to loss of function of joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects almost 6
million people around the world.
About Roche
Headquartered
in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-orientated healthcare groups. The
company's two core businesses in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics provide innovative products and services
that address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing people’s health and quality
of life. The two core businesses achieved a turnover of 19.3 billion Swiss Francs in the first three
quarters of 2002 and employed about 57,000 employees worldwide.
About
Chugai
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is one of Japan’s leading research-based
pharmaceutical companies with strengths in biotechnology products and in the therapeutic fields of oncology,
renal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, bone/joint diseases and transplantation/infection/immunity.
With pharmaceutical sales of 193 billion yen in 2001, Chugai has invested in research and development
capabilities in the US and Europe, and has established sales and marketing operations in France, Germany
and the UK. Chugai employs 5,867 employees world-wide.
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