Alumis and Kaken Pharmaceutical have partnered to develop and commercialize ESK-001, a selective TYK2 inhibitor, for dermatological conditions in Japan. Alumis will receive $40 million upfront with potential milestone payments reaching $140 million and royalties on future sales, while Kaken will handle development and commercialization in Japan. The agreement also grants Kaken the option to expand the license to include rheumatological and gastrointestinal diseases.
This collaboration is noteworthy because it validates the potential of ESK-001 as a treatment for immune-mediated diseases beyond its current clinical trials in psoriasis and lupus. It provides Alumis with significant non-dilutive funding to support further development and also strategically positions ESK-001 within the Japanese market through Kaken’s established expertise in dermatology. This deal also underscores the growing interest in TYK2 inhibitors as a novel approach to treating a variety of immune-mediated conditions.
The agreement specifies an upfront payment of $40 million along with near-term co-development payments totaling $40 million during 2025-26. In addition to these payments, Alumis is eligible for milestone payments reaching $140 million and tiered royalties in the low double-digits to twenties percentage range on net sales in Japan. Kaken will be responsible for all development and commercialization costs within Japan, but will also contribute to some global development costs for ESK-001.
This partnership signifies a crucial step forward in the development and commercialization of ESK-001. It not only provides Alumis with substantial financial support but also leverages Kaken’s expertise to potentially accelerate the drug’s availability to patients in Japan. The option to expand the license into other disease areas suggests a shared belief in the broad therapeutic potential of ESK-001, potentially setting the stage for wider global adoption in the future.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
