CSL and Alentis ink $1.5bn partnership to progress antifibrotic drug

CSL has signed an exclusive collaboration with Swiss biotech Alentis Therapeutics to develop and commercialize lixudebart, a Claudin-1-targeting antifibrotic drug, across rare kidney and liver diseases. CSL pays $355 million upfront with up to $1.2 billion in commercial milestones, while Alentis retains 55% of global profits. CSL will fund the remainder of the Phase II RENAL trial in ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, a planned Phase III, and Phase II work in FSGS and primary sclerosing cholangitis.