Boehringer Ingelheim Licenses Novel Treatment from Kyowa Kirin for Autoimmune / Fibro-Inflammatory Diseases

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) has secured an exclusive, worldwide licence from Kyowa Kirin for a pre-clinical, first-in-class small molecule targeting fibro-inflammatory diseases, an area that includes many autoimmune conditions. The deal is valued at up to €410 million in upfront, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties on future sales. 

The programme will join BI’s immunology and respiratory research portfolio, supporting its ambition to develop breakthrough therapies in areas of high unmet need. The licence will enable BI to progress the compound globally, building on Kyowa Kirin’s discovery expertise and BI’s clinical development and commercialisation strengths. Meanwhile, Kyowa Kirin retains potential upside via milestone and royalty payments. 

Fibro-inflammatory diseases arise from persistent inflammation due to infection, autoimmune reaction, allergic response or tissue injury and include conditions such as systemic sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and interstitial lung diseases. These disorders still represent significant unmet patient needs.