EUSA Pharma Inc (OXFORD, UK), a transatlantic specialty pharmaceutical company focused on oncology, pain control, and critical care, announced that it has out-licensed the exclusive worldwide rights to its preclinical-stage human anti-interleukin (IL)-6 antibody (OP-R003) to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for up to $44 million. The figure comprises an upfront fee, development milestones, and royalties on future sales. As part of the agreement, EUSA will pay ~50% of the overall consideration to its development partner, Vaccinex Inc, for the antibody. GSK will fund and conduct all future development, production, and commercialization of the agent.

IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, a B-cell growth factor that resists standard chemotherapy. OP-R003 is the first fully human anti-IL-6 antibody, with target indications in inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and various oncology-related indications; other potential indications include systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Crohn's disease. OP-R003 is derived from a first generation murine antibody, elsilimomab, which has achieved promising clinical results as a lymphoma therapy. As a fully human antibody, the agent has the potential to offer improved tolerability and a superior safety profile.

EUSA was founded in May 2006 by Bryan Morton and Bristol Myers Squibb Co. In 2003, Mr. Morton, previously of Merck & Co, Inc, founded Zeneus Pharma through the acquisition of Elan's European sales and marketing business for $120 million in a private equity deal. Following the sale of Zeneus Pharma for $360 million in 2005, Morton founded EUSA Pharma with backing from Essex Woodlands Health Ventures. In 2007, EUSA raised $175 million to further development the company. EUSA acquired OP-R003 as part of a 2007 acquisition of OPi SA. OPi had previously entered a collaboration with Vaccinex, a specialist antibody discovery and development company, to optimize and develop OP-R003 as a therapy for RA and lymphoma.