CSL broadens anti-rejection portfolio

Biotechnology group CSL has bought Vitaeris Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company commercialising a treatment for rejection in solid organ kidney transplant patients.

The Vancouver, Canada based company has been in partnership with CSL since 2017 developing clazakizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) monoclonal antibody (MAB), for the potential treatment of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), the leading cause of kidney transplant rejection.

CSL had an option to purchase Vitaeris which it has now exercised, and will add clazakizumab CSL Behring’s portfolio of products in late-stage development to address significant unmet needs in the transplant community.

The Head of R&D, CSL Behring Bill Mezzanotte said: “Acquiring Vitaeris and their associate expertise helps us to continue to grow our strategic scientific platform of recombinant proteins and antibodies.

“We look forward to continuing to advance this treatment candidate as a potential option for people experiencing rejection – an area where current treatment options for transplant recipients are limited, at best.”

The purchase price is too small to affect CSL’s profits for the year but the company will invest between $30 and $50 million to complete phase 3 trials of the new treatment in the next financial year.

There are currently no approved treatments for transplant recipients who develop antibody-mediated rejection.

Continued progress and ultimately effective solutions for transplant recipients in this area is of high importance to CSL Behring as well as the global transplant community.

CSL is also developing two further drug candidates in the transplant rejection area, known as CSL842 and CSL964.

Picture: Vitaeris

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