China-based Fosun Pharma has licensed global ex-China rights for immunology candidate FXS6837 to UK-based Sitala in a deal worth up to USD 670 million, including USD 25 million upfront and USD 480 million in sales milestones. The small-molecule inhibitor, currently in Phase II trials in China for immune-mediated disorders, represents another major out-licensing in immunology for Fosun following its USD 645 million DPP-1 inhibitor deal with Expedition Therapeutics earlier this month. Fosun will receive tiered royalties and acquire USD 5 million in Sitala equity at no cost.

Sitala, founded in 2021 by former AstraZeneca executive Matthew Cooper, specialises in inflammatory and autoimmune therapies. The agreement expands Fosun's globalisation strategy after recent partnerships for CAR-T therapies in Europe and metabolic drugs in the US. FXS6837's mechanism remains undisclosed, but preclinical data suggests modulation of key immune pathways involved in autoimmune pathogenesis such as complement factor B (CFB).

PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database shows that Fosun (with its subsidiary Henlius) has entered into seven out-licensing deals this year alone. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.