Abbott signs kidney drug deal

Abbott has licensed rights from Reata Pharmaceuticals to develop and commercialise a phase II drug for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The drug, bardoxolone methyl, is an oral antioxidant inflammation modulator that has been shown in clinical trials to improve kidney function in patients with advanced CKD and type 2 diabetes. The studies also suggest that the drug may prevent patients from progressing to the later stages of the disease and dialysis.

The agreement grants Abbott exclusive rights to develop and commercialise the drug outside the US, excluding certain Asian markets, in exchange for upfront and near-term cash payments of $450m. Abbott will also make milestone payments tied to development and approval goals for bardoxolone and other drugs and will pay sales-based royalties. In addition, the company will take a minority stake in Reata.

The deal also gives Abbott rights to develop and commercialise other Reata compounds for CKD, cardiovascular disease and metabolic indications in the same markets.

Reata, which was founded in 2002 and is based in Texas, licensed exclusive rights to bardoxolone in Japan and certain other Asian markets to Kyowa Hakko Kirin earlier this year.