CSL, a global biotechnology company, and Eli Lilly and Company announced an exclusive licensing agreement. The agreement grants Eli Lilly certain rights to develop and commercialize clazakizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) monoclonal antibody, while CSL will receive a $100 million payment upfront. CSL is also eligible for additional undisclosed milestone payments and royalties on global net sales of products derived from clazakizumab.

According to a company press release, CSL retains the rights to develop and commercialize clazakizumab for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The company is currently evaluating clazakizumab in a Phase III clinical trial in patients with ESKD on dialysis at risk for major cardiovascular events. Eli Lilly plans to explore the candidate in other indications.

” This agreement marks a significant step forward in our mission to bring innovative therapies to patients worldwide,” said Bill Mezzanotte, Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development, CSL, in the release. “Clazakizumab is a promising therapeutic candidate with the potential to significantly impact the treatment landscape for various immuno-inflammatory and cardiovascular conditions. Lilly is another patient-focused organization, and we look forward to working with them to maximise the potential of this important medicine.”

Originally developed by the healthcare company Vitareis, CSL acquired the rights to clazakizumab in 2020. The candidate is designed to inhibit IL-6, a mediator of various biological processes, including immune regulation, hematopoiesis, and vascular inflammation. By preventing the binding of IL-6, it is believed that clazakizumab can mitigate the cascade that contributes to the symptoms and progression of various immuno-inflammatory conditions, according to the release.