Eli Lilly and Co. and Asahi Kasei Pharma entered a license agreement under which Lilly will acquire the exclusive rights for AK1780 from Asahi Kasei Pharma. AK1780 is an orally bioavailable P2X7 receptor antagonist that recently completed Phase 1 dose and clinical pharmacology studies. P2X7 receptors are implicated in neuroinflammation, a driving force in chronic pain conditions.
 
Lilly will be responsible for future global development and regulatory activities for AK1780. Lilly will pay $20 million upfront and Asahi Kasei may be eligible for as much as $210 million in potential development and regulatory milestones. Asahi Kasei will retain the right to promote AK1780 in Japan and China. If AK1780 is successfully commercialized, Asahi Kasei would be eligible for as much as $180 million in potential sales milestones, as well as royalties.
 
“Lilly is committed to developing novel medicines that may provide relief for patients suffering with various pain conditions,” said Mark Mintun, M.D., vice president of pain and neurodegeneration research at Lilly. “We are pleased to license this molecule from Asahi Kasei Pharma, and look forward to developing it further as a potential treatment for neuroinflammatory pain conditions.”
 
“Asahi Kasei Pharma believes that nobody should have to give up what they would like to do because of illness,” said Osamu Matsuzaki, senior executive officer and head of R&D and Business Development at Asahi Kasei Pharma. “AK1780 may contribute to a better life and living for people who suffer from chronic pain. Our agreement with Lilly will hopefully accelerate the development of this promising medicine.”