Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) and Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc, announced a global agreement for the development and commercialization of ALD518, a novel biologic that has completed phase-IIa development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Alder will grant to Bristol-Myers Squibb worldwide exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ALD518 for all potential indications except cancer, for which Alder will retain rights and grant Bristol-Myers Squibb an option to co-develop and commercialize outside the United States. An upfront cash payment of US$ 85 million, potential development-based and regulatory-based milestone payments of up to US$ 764 million across a range of indications, potential sales-based milestones which, under certain circumstances, may exceed US$ 200 million, and royalties on net sales are payable to Alder by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Alder has an option to require Bristol-Myers Squibb to make an equity investment of up to US$ 20 million in Alder during an initial public offering.

“With its novel mechanism of action, ALD518 has the potential to offer an exciting new option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis,” said Brian Daniels, senior vice president, Global Development & Medical Affairs, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to develop this novel monoclonal antibody. As part of our String of Pearls strategy, this transaction provides Bristol-Myers Squibb with the opportunity to strengthen our immunoscience pipeline, and leverage our company’s experience in developing and delivering novel biologics to help patients prevail over rheumatoid arthritis and, potentially, other autoimmune diseases.”

“Bristol-Myers Squibb and Alder share the vision that ALD518 could become an important part of treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis,” said Randall C Schatzman, president and chief executive officer of Alder Biopharmaceuticals. “Bristol-Myers Squibb’s extensive development and commercial experience in immunology translate into an exceptionally good fit for Alder, especially at this stage of our corporate development.”

The effectiveness of the collaboration agreement is subject to antitrust clearance by the United States Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice, under the provisions of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and other customary regulatory approvals.

ALD518 is a humanized, monoclonal antibody, designed to block a pro-inflammatory molecule called interleukin-6 (IL-6), which plays a key role in the inflammatory cascade leading to the inflammation, swelling, pain, and destruction of large and small joints associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.

Alder Biopharmaceuticals uniquely identifies, develops, and manufactures novel antibody therapeutics to alleviate human suffering in the autoimmune and inflammatory disease areas.