Nxera Pharma Sells APAC Rights for Lupus Drug to Viatris in $10M Deal

In a significant move within the pharmaceutical industry, Nxera Pharma has sold the Asia-Pacific rights to a promising phase 3 autoimmune drug to Viatris for $10 million upfront. This transaction is part of a broader restructuring of ownership obligations for the drug, cenerimod, a S1P1 receptor modulator currently in late-stage clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Deal Structure and Financial Terms

The licensing agreement covers the development and commercialization rights for cenerimod in Japan, South Korea, and several other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding China. In addition to the upfront payment, Nxera stands to receive an undisclosed milestone payment upon the drug's approval in Japan, as well as royalties on sales in the covered territories.

This deal is interconnected with a larger restructuring between Idorsia and Viatris. Idorsia has reduced its financial obligations to Viatris by half, from $200 million to $100 million, for the development of both cenerimod and selatogrel, a P2Y12 inhibitor.

Background and Strategic Implications

The rights to cenerimod in the Asia-Pacific region were initially acquired by the Sosei Group when it purchased Idorsia's Japanese business in 2023. This acquisition led to Sosei's rebranding as Nxera last year. Concurrently, Viatris secured the rights to cenerimod for all other regions from Idorsia.

Makoto Sugita, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and President of Nxera Pharma Japan, expressed confidence in the deal, stating, "Cenerimod has demonstrated compelling disease-modifying activity across multiple autoimmune disorders and already has become a key development asset for Viatris within its immunology platform."

Cenerimod: A Promising Autoimmune Treatment

Cenerimod is a highly selective, oral sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 modulator discovered by Idorsia. Its potential extends beyond SLE, with ongoing evaluations in various autoimmune disorders. The drug's progression to phase 3 trials for SLE highlights its promise in addressing a significant unmet medical need.

By transferring the rights to Viatris, Nxera aims to ensure that cenerimod reaches its full potential for patients while maximizing value for its shareholders. This strategic move aligns with the broader industry trend of companies focusing on core assets and partnering to optimize drug development and commercialization efforts.