Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised AM-Pharma on its €245 million exclusive license agreement deal with Kyowa Kirin, for the development and commercialisation of ilofotase Alfa in Japan.

AM-Pharma is a Netherlands-based biopharmaceutical company, the initial focus of which is the development of treatments for sepsis-associated acute kidney injuries. Under the terms of the exclusive license agreement, Kyowa Kirin, a global specialty pharmaceutical company, will gain exclusive rights to develop and commercialise ilofotase alfa in Japan. Ilofotase alfa is currently being assessed in a global Phase III pivotal clinical study as a potential first disease-altering treatment for sepsis-associated acute kidney injuries.

Sepsis is a condition that is responsible for one out of three deaths in hospitals and is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The kidney is the most commonly affected organ, resulting in SA-AKI and significantly increasing the risk for mortality and morbidity in sepsis. No singular effective therapy to alter the progression of these devastating conditions has been approved.

The Stephenson Harwood team was led by partner Alexandra Pygall, who was supported by associate Anne Stoffels. Further assistance was provided by partner Dan Holland and associate Chloe Haywood.