Simpson Thacher is representing CSL Behring, an affiliate of CSL Limited (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY), in connection with its announced licensing agreement to acquire from uniQure N.V. (NASDAQ:QURE) exclusive global license rights to commercialize an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy program, AMT-061 (etranacogene dezaparvovec), for the treatment of hemophilia B. uniQure is a leading gene therapy company advancing transformative therapies for patients with severe medical needs.
Under the terms of the agreement, CSL will have the exclusive global license rights to commercialize AMT-061 and uniQure will receive an upfront cash payment of US$450 million followed by regulatory and commercial sales milestone payments and royalties. The agreement also provides that uniQure will complete the Phase 3 trial and scale up manufacture for early commercial supply under an agreed plan with CSL. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory clearances before closing.
CSL Behring is a global biotherapeutics leader driven by its promise to save lives. Focused on serving patients’ needs by using the latest technologies, CSL Behring develops and delivers innovative therapies that are used to treat coagulation disorders, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema, respiratory disease and neurological disorders. The company’s products are also used in cardiac surgery, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.
The Simpson Thacher team includes Mark Pflug, Jenny Leung and Vishaal Patel (M&A); Lori Lesser, Buzz Frahn and Alysha Sekhon (Intellectual Property); Vanessa Burrows (Healthcare); and Sara Razi, Abram Ellis, Ellen Frye and Nicholas Ingros (Antitrust).