InterMune, Inc. has successfully closed its exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Roche for the exclusive worldwide development and commercialization of InterMune's hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor programme.

The parties received notice of early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust improvement Act of 1976, on October 30, 2006.

Having closed the transaction, InterMune will receive an upfront payment of $60 million. Roche is now funding 67 per cent of the global development costs associated with ITMN-191, InterMune's lead HCV protease inhibitor drug candidate. Assuming the successful development and commercialization of ITMN-191 in the US and other countries, InterMune could receive up to $470 million in milestones, including a potential $35 million within the next 12 months.