NKF with AB2 Bio on option and licensing agreement
Niederer Kraft Frey (NKF) advised AB2 Bio, a Swiss biotechnology company, on Swiss law matters in connection with the entry into an option and licensing agreement with Japanese pharmaceutical company Nippon Shinyaku.
The context
Headquartered in Lausanne, AB2 Bio developes innovative therapies for the treatment of severe systemic hyperinflammatory diseases and conditions driven by IL-18.
Pursuant to the agreement, Nippon Shinyaku holds an option to acquire exclusive commercial rights in the US for Tadekinig alfa, a recombinant Interleukin-18 Binding Protein. AB2 Bio will then move forward with filing for U.S. Biologics License Application (BLA) approval relative to Tadekinig alfa.
As a result of the transaction, AB2 Bio accesses early payments of up to USD 36 million, including an initial payment of USD 6 million upon closing. Moreover, the company would be eventually eligible for development milestone payments of up to USD 150 million and commercial milestone and royalty payments of up to USD 500 million.
The NKF team
Corporate/M&A partner Jacques Bonvin (pictured) led the NKF team on the matter, working alongside partner Andrea Wuerzner (corporate/M&A) and associate Boris Catzeflis (Corporate/M&A and technology).
