28 Feb Apellis Pharmaceuticals Announces Collaboration with SFJ Pharmaceuticals®
Apellis Pharmaceuticals Announces Collaboration with SFJ Pharmaceuticals® for APL-2 in Hematologic Indications
Apellis to receive up to $120 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, with the potential for additional payments subject to mutual agreement
Apellis retains exclusive worldwide commercial rights to APL-2 in all indications
WALTHAM Mass., and CRESTWOOD, Ky., February 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc., (Nasdaq:APLS) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapeutic compounds to treat disease through the inhibition of the complement system, today announced a novel, risk-sharing collaboration to support the development of APL-2 in hematologic indications with SFJ Pharmaceuticals, a global drug development company backed by Blackstone Life Sciences and Abingworth.
This collaboration marks the first time that SFJ Pharmaceuticals has partnered with a pre-revenue biopharma company. As part of this collaboration, SFJ and Apellis have entered into an agreement to support the development of APL-2 for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Under the terms of the agreement, SFJ has agreed to pay Apellis $60 million in support of the PNH clinical program following deal close, with up to an additional $60 million based on Apellis meeting specific, pre-defined clinical milestones that are expected in 2019 and associated with the PNH development program, and subject to Apellis meeting certain capital requirements. Subject to mutual agreement, SFJ may also pay Apellis an additional $50 million in funding for the PNH clinical program following a specified, pre-defined clinical milestone.