EUSA Pharma Acquires Castleman’s Disease Drug from Janssen Science Ireland

Rare Daily Staff

EUSA Pharma said it has successfully completed the acquisition of the worldwide rights to the Castleman’s disease drug Sylvant from Janssen Sciences Ireland UC for $115 million in cash.

Sylvant is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of idiopathic multicentric Castleman’s disease, a rare blood disorder with high morbidity in which lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are over-produced and lead to enlargement of lymph nodes. It shares many symptomatic and histological features with lymphoma.

Sylvant is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine detected at elevated levels in iMCD patients. It is the only approved treatment in the United States and Europe for the rare condition.

EUSA intends to commercialize Sylvant through its worldwide commercial platform, which it plans to expand further into a number of new markets. The company plans to invest in developing Sylvant in additional indications where IL-6 blockade may be indicated. Among these, the company is looking into Cytokine Release Syndrome associated with CAR-T therapy.

“Sylvant is a perfect fit with EUSA’s oncology and rare disease focus and provides the company with a major opportunity to continue its rapid growth,” said Lee Morley, EUSA Pharma’s CEO. “As the only approved treatment for the devastating disorder iMCD, we have ambitious plans to bring Sylvant to patients around the world.”

January 10, 2019
Photo: Lee Morley, CEO of EUSA Pharma