CSL pays $355M upfront to co-develop Alentis’ phase-2 fibrosis drug lixudebart

CSL of Australia has agreed to pay $355 million upfront for the rights to Alentis Therapeutics' anti-Claudin-1 drug lixudebart, a phase-2 fibrosis candidate.

The agreement includes up to $1.2 billion in commercial milestones and a 55/45 profit split favoring CSL. CSL will also fund the completion of Alentis' ongoing phase-2 trial in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis‑rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (AAV‑RPGN), where an interim analysis of 26 patients showed improvement in kidney function.

Beyond the current study, CSL will finance a phase-3 trial for AAV‑RPGN and future phase-2 studies in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, expanding the drug's potential indications.