GSK to develop, commercialize investigational IBD treatment

LONDON GlaxoSmithKline has obtained an exclusive license to develop and commercialize an investigational treatment for such inflammatory bowel disorders as Crohn’s disease, the British drug maker announced Monday.

GSK said it exercised its option to obtain the license under an agreement with Mountain View, Calif.-based ChemoCentryx, for the drug Traficet-EN (CCX282-B). Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will pay ChemoCentryx $35 million, as well as potential regulatory milestones.

“Progressing the development of CCX282-B takes us closer to a valuable new treatment option for patients who suffer from these chronic, debilitating bowel diseases,” GSK chairman for research and development Moncef Slaoui said in a statement. “CCX282-B may offer advantages over existing therapeutic approaches for Crohn’s disease by potentially offering reduced side effects and convenient oral dosing to patients.”