CSL Ltd. and Vitaeris Inc. have entered into a strategic collaboration and purchase option agreement for the development of clazakizumab for solid organ transplant rejection.

Clazakizumab is a humanized, monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits Interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 is an important driver of the inflammatory response and is known to play a key role in transplant rejection.

Vitaeris will retain control of projects through end of Phase III and will receive $15 million upfront from CSL, along with R&D milestones and future sales-related payments. CSL has an exclusive option to acquire Vitaeris. Alder BioPharmaceuticals, the innovator of clazakizumab is eligible to receive royalty payments.

Professor Andrew Cuthbertson, chief scientific officer, CSL, said, “CSL is committed to developing therapies for patients with rare and life-threatening conditions. Vitaeris’ transplant rejection program is complementary to CSL’s current development activities in solid organ transplant. This is an exciting strategic alliance in an important area of unmet clinical need.”

Kevin Chow, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer Vitaeris, said, “This partnership enables Vitaeris to maintain autonomy in defining our research strategy and conducting clinical development of clazakizumab. It aligns our company with CSL’s global leadership in immunology and leverages our shared goal to transform healthcare for solid organ transplant recipients.”