Insmed Signs License Agreement With AstraZeneca For Oral DPP I

(RTTNews) - Insmed Inc. (INSM), Monday announced a licensing agreement with AstraZeneca (AZN) for global exclusive rights to AZD7986, an oral inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase I or DPP1.

According to Insmed, DPP 1 is an enzyme that catalyzes the activation of neutrophil serine proteases, which play a key role in pulmonary diseases such as non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Will Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Insmed said, "With this transaction we have added a highly complementary therapy that aligns perfectly with our established expertise in rare pulmonary diseases."

Insmed will pay AstraZeneca an upfront payment of $30 million and AstraZeneca will be eligible to receive future payments totaling $120 million in future clinical, regulatory, and sales-related milestones. AstraZeneca would also be entitled to receive tiered royalties ranging from a high single-digit to mid-teen.