NovImmune has successfully divested EmaCo AG, a newly established company owning emapalumab and related assets to Sobi in July 2019.
NovImmune SA will continue to operate and focus on its bispecific technology and associated programs and will rebrand as “Light Chain Bioscience – A brand of Novimmune SA”.
Light Chain Bioscience brings to life the research and development of novel multi-specific antibodies that rely on their light chain for their function.
By acquiring global rights for emapalumab from Novimmune the Swedish Sobi strengthens its inflammation franchise. The exclusive licence agreement with Novimmune grants perpetual global rights to emapalumab, a late-stage orphan drug candidate for the treatment of primary Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
Novimmune’s Chairman and CEO Eduardo Enrico Holdener commented, “We are delighted to announce this collaboration with Sobi. Novimmune has brought emapalumab all the way from discovery through development to the brink of regulatory approval. Now is the right time to bring in a partner with substantial commercial capabilities to take the next step of making the product available for patients in need. In Sobi we see a strong partner with a proven ability to further develop, commercialise and provide access to innovative treatments for rare disease patients across European and US markets. Pending approval by the FDA, this means that patients who suffer from HLH will be able to benefit from emapalumab, the only targeted medicine specifically developed for the treatment of HLH.”
“We believe this transaction is an excellent fit for Sobi and consistent with our strategy of expanding our commercial Specialty Care portfolio, strengthening our geographic footprint, particularly in the US, and building our R&D pipeline. The addition of emapalumab to Sobi’s portfolio is a natural fit and focuses our business in inflammation, immunology and immuno-oncology,” adds Sobi President and CEO Guido Oelkers.