GSK to tackle inflammatory bowel disease

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has exercised its option to obtain an exclusive license for further development and worldwide commercialisation of Traficet-EN (CCX282-B), a specific CCR9 antagonist, which potentially offers a new approach for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease. 

The option extends two further identified backup compounds and represents the first product licensing opportunity resulting from the original collaboration with ChemoCentryx through GSK's Centre of Excellence for External Drug Discovery (CEEDD).

Under the terms of the collaboration, ChemoCentryx will receive an option exercise fee of $35m and may be eligible for further regulatory milestone payments. 

Following successful development and commercialisation of any of the candidate compounds, ChemoCentryx will receive double-digit royalties on product sales, with the ability to increase royalties by co-funding development through phase III clinical trials and co-promoting to physician specialists in North America. 

GSK will assume responsibility for the continued development of CCX282-B in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease, and potential ulcerative colitis studies will also be considered for this product candidate.

"Progressing the development of CCX282-B takes us closer to a valuable new treatment option for patients who suffer from these chronic, debilitating bowel diseases," said Moncef Slaoui, chairman of research and development, GSK. "CCX282-B may offer advantages over existing therapeutic approaches for Crohn's disease by potentially offering reduced side effects and convenient oral dosing to patients".