In exchange, Novo Nordisk will receive approval milestones and royalties in this region.
ZymoGenetics obtained rights covering the development and commercialization of Interleukin 21 (IL-21) outside of North America from Novo Nordisk. With this agreement, ZymoGenetics now owns worldwide rights to IL-21.
Novo Nordisk previously announced that they had reached a corporate decision to exit the oncology therapeutic area, resulting in the suspension of all ongoing oncology programs.
Under the terms of the arrangement, Novo Nordisk will receive milestone payments for regulatory approval and royalties related to the ex-North American territory. Additionally, upon licensing worldwide rights for IL-21 to a third party, Novo Nordisk could get a portion of related licensing fees.
“In the first half of this year, we plan to present Phase II results in renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma, which we believe will heighten partnering interest among oncology-focused companies,” says Heather Franklin, svp, business development of Zymogenetics.
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