Corixa Corporation and Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. Announce Multi-Year Agreement for Psoriasis Treatment

Strategic Insights -

Corixa Corporation, a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, and Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company, have entered into a multi-year license, research and development agreement for the psoriasis immunotherapeutic product, PVAC. The agreement grants Zenyaku Kogyo exclusive rights to PVAC in Japan, while Corixa and Genesis Research and Development Corporation retain exclusive rights globally. Corixa will receive license fees, research funding, milestone payments, and royalties on future product sales.

Key Takeaways:

  • Corixa Corporation and Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. have entered into a multi-year agreement for the psoriasis immunotherapeutic product, PVAC.
  • The agreement grants Zenyaku Kogyo exclusive rights to PVAC in Japan, while Corixa and Genesis retain exclusive rights globally.
  • Corixa will receive license fees, research funding, milestone payments, and royalties on future product sales.
  • PVAC is currently in Phase I/II trials in the Philippines, with approximately 20 patients treated, of which half had complete responses to the therapy for 52 weeks.
  • Corixa estimates that they will file a U.S. IND for the initial Phase II randomized-placebo-controlled trial by the end of 1999.
  • Corixa has a research- and development-based biotechnology company focused on treating and preventing diseases by understanding and directing the immune system.
  • Zenyaku Kogyo is a privately-held, Tokyo-based pharmaceutical company committed to developing and marketing cutting-edge pharmaceutical products in the prescription pharmaceutical field.
  • Genesis Research and Development Corporation is a New Zealand-based biotechnology company that focuses on generating EST databases from microbes, plants, and animals.

Statistics:

  • Estimated 100 million people worldwide suffer from psoriasis.
  • 100 million people worldwide suffer from psoriasis.
  • Phase I/II trial of PVAC has treated approximately 20 patients, of which half had complete responses to the therapy for 52 weeks.
  • Corixa aims to file a U.S. IND for the initial Phase II randomized-placebo-controlled trial by the end of 1999.
  • Corixa was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
  • Zenyaku Kogyo is a leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of various consumer-oriented over-the-counter products in Japan.

Sources:

  • PR Newswire, "Corixa Corporation and Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. Announce Multi-Year Agreement for Psoriasis Treatment," August 19, 1999.
  • Corixa Corporation's website, "About Corixa," www.corixa.com.
  • Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.'s website, "About Zenyaku Kogyo," (no URL provided).
  • Genesis Research and Development Corporation's website, "About Genesis," (no URL provided).