Japanese biopharmaceutical company Nxera, through its subsidiary Nxera Pharma UK, has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with US-based pharmaceutical company AbbVie for its EP4 agonist programme, including NXE0033744, a novel small-molecule EP4 receptor agonist being developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Under the agreement, AbbVie will receive exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise the drug candidate. Nxera will receive an upfront payment of USD 100 million and is eligible to receive up to an additional USD 1.37 billion in development and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on net sales.
The transaction is subject to customary antitrust clearances, including approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act in the US.
Discovered using Nxera’s proprietary NxWave drug discovery platform, NXE0033744 is being developed to address the unmet medical needs of patients with IBD who do not achieve adequate disease control with existing treatments.
The investigational drug is designed to selectively activate EP4 receptors locally in the gastrointestinal tract, triggering anti-inflammatory effects while promoting epithelial barrier homeostasis and mucosal healing. This mechanism could potentially offer a differentiated mechanism of action from currently available IBD treatments.
A Phase 1 clinical study of NXE0033744 has been completed, generating data supporting its gut-selective profile and target engagement, demonstrated through a reduction in indomethacin-induced intestinal permeability.
Commenting on the agreement, Christopher Cargill, President and CEO of Nxera Pharma, said the deal marks an important milestone in the development of NXE0033744 and reflects the potential of the company’s NxWave platform to generate differentiated medicines for significant unmet medical needs.
“With its deep expertise and proven track record in immunological diseases, and global clinical development, we believe AbbVie is the ideal partner to advance the programme globally and determine whether this biology can translate into measurable, life-changing outcomes for people with IBD,” he said.
Cargill added that the upfront payment, together with potential near-term milestone payments, would further strengthen Nxera’s financial position while allowing the company to participate in the future success of NXE0033744 through milestone payments and royalties.
IBD comprises a group of chronic, relapsing inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Despite advances in treatment, many patients do not achieve or maintain sustained remission or mucosal healing, underscoring the need for therapies with novel mechanisms of action that can improve long-term disease control.
