Astellas Pharma announced that its licence agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc to develop and commercialise ASP015K, Astellas’ oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor, will end effective January 15, 2015. Janssen has exercised its right to terminate the license agreement, which was signed in 2012.
Upon the effective date of termination, Astellas will regain all rights granted to Janssen. Astellas is now considering the future plan for ASP015K outside Japan, but will continue the Phase 3 development program which was initiated in Japan.
Upon the termination of the license agreement, Astellas will not revise its financial forecast for the current fiscal year (from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015).