Shire Enters Strategic Licensing and Collaboration Agreement with ArmaGen

Shire plc and ArmaGen have announced a worldwide licensing and collaboration agreement for AGT-182, an investigational enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for the potential treatment of both the central nervous system (CNS) and somatic manifestations in patients with Hunter syndrome (MPS II). This collaboration strengthens Shire’s rare disease pipeline of innovative therapies where there is high unmet need, and underscores the company’s long standing commitment to the Hunter syndrome community.

Under the terms of the agreement, Shire will obtain worldwide commercialization rights for AGT-182 in exchange for payments of approximately $225 million to ArmaGen, including an initial upfront payment of $15 million in cash and equity, an additional equity investment, R&D funding, development milestones and sales milestones, in addition to royalty payments. As part of the agreement, ArmaGen will be responsible for conducting and completing the Phase I/II study which it expects to initiate before the end of 2014, after which point Shire will be responsible for further clinical development, including Phase III trials, and commercialisation.

Dr Philip J. Vickers, Global Head of R&D at Shire, said: “Our agreement with ArmaGen marks our continued promise to the Hunter syndrome community to bring novel therapies that have the potential to dramatically redefine the treatment paradigm and address the most critical unmet needs. AGT-182 has the potential to be an important new therapy to our portfolio of programs for the treatment of both the CNS and somatic manifestations of Hunter syndrome. We look forward to collaborating with ArmaGen and leveraging our ability to successfully develop medicines to treat this rare, life-threatening disease.”

Shire researched, developed and commercialised the first treatment approved for Hunter syndrome. This agreement with ArmaGen expands Shire’s commitment to finding treatments for Hunter syndrome, which also includes SHP-609, Shire’s product currently being investigated to treat the CNS manifestations associated with Hunter syndrome.

James Callaway, PhD, CEO of ArmaGen said: “Shire is the ideal partner for AGT-182, based on the company’s international reach and expertise in serving patients with Hunter syndrome. We look forward to beginning the Phase I/II clinical trial of AGT-182 in collaboration with Shire and leveraging their expertise with these patients.”