A roundup of bio/pharmaceutical partnering news from AbbVie/IGI Therapeutics and BI/Leo Pharma. 

* AbbVie, IGI Therapeutics in $1.9-Bn Trispecific Antibody Drug Pact   
* BI, Leo Pharma in $105-M Skin Disease Drug Pact 

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AbbVie, IGI Therapeutics in $1.9-Bn Trispecific Antibody Drug Pact   
AbbVie and IGI Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of New York-based Ichnos Glenmark Innovation (IGI), have entered an exclusive licensing agreement for IGI’s lead investigational asset, ISB 2001, for oncology and autoimmune diseases, in a deal worth up to $1.9 billion ($700 million upfront and $1.2 billion in milestone payments). 

Under the agreement, AbbVie will receive exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize ISB 2001 across North America, Europe, Japan, and Greater China. Subject to regulatory clearance, IGI will receive an upfront payment of $700 million and is eligible to receive up to $1.225 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered, double-digit royalties on net sales. 

Source: AbbVie 

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BI, Leo Pharma in $105-M Skin Disease Drug Pact 
Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) and Leo Pharma, a Ballerup, Denmark-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered an exclusive global license and transfer agreement to commercialize and advance the development of Spevigo (spesolimab), in a deal worth at least $105 million. 

Spevigo is a selective monoclonal antibody that targets and blocks the activation of the interleukin-36 (IL-36) receptor, a signaling pathway in the immune system implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoinflammatory diseases, including generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). This partnership extends beyond GPP, with an opportunity to investigate the potential of spesolimab in additional skin conditions in which IL-36 is implicated. 

Under the agreement, Leo Pharma will be responsible for commercialization and further development of Spevigo, leveraging its global commercial platform within medical dermatology to raise disease awareness and secure access for patients with GPP. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2025, subject to merger control clearance, with Boehringer Ingelheim set to receive EUR 90 million ($105 million) as upfront payment, along with milestone payments and tiered royalties. 

Source: Boehringer Ingelheim