CSL strikes rare disease drug deal worth up to $1.6 billion with Swiss firm Alentis
CSL•CSL agreed to co-develop and co-promote a rare disease treatment with Alentis in a deal worth up to $1.6 billion before development funding. CSL will pay $355 million upfront, and Alentis is eligible for up to $1.2 billion in commercial milestones.
1. Deal terms
The agreement gives CSL rights to jointly develop and commercialise lixudebart, a potential treatment for rare kidney and liver diseases. If commercialised, global profits will be shared 55% with CSL and 45% with Alentis.
2. Drug development
Lixudebart is in a Phase 2 trial for a rare autoimmune kidney disease that can cause irreversible kidney damage and end-stage renal disease. The companies also plan to advance it for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis; the drug received U.S. orphan drug designation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2024.
