EA Pharma Co., Ltd.

EA Pharma Co., Ltd. (President & CEO, Yuji Matsue; Headquarters, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) (hereinafter “EA Pharma”) announces today that EA Pharma has signed a global exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Calypso Biotech SA (CEO & Founder, Dr. Alain Vicari; Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland) (hereinafter “Calypso”) to develop, manufacture and sell anti-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) fully human monoclonal antibody (Code: CALY-001).

Based on the license agreement, EA Pharma has the global exclusive license to develop, manufacture and sell CALY-001 for all indications and initiates the development of the product for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Calypso receives an upfront payment, milestone payments and royalties from EA Pharma.

CALY-001 selectively binds active MMP-9 and inhibits activity of the enzyme to suppress tissue damage in the intestines and inflammation. CALY-001 can be a promising novel treatment for IBD. EA Pharma expects that CALY-001 will add a new option for IBD treatment and make a contribution to improving quality of life of patients.

As a Japanese specialty pharma in the gastrointestinal disease area, EA Pharma stays close to patients and strives to make contributions to patients, their families and healthcare providers through development of pharmaceuticals from patient’s perspective.

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1. About EA Pharma Co., Ltd.

EA Pharma Co., Ltd. was inaugurated in April 2016 by integration of the Eisai Group’s gastrointestinal business unit with more than 60-year history and the Ajinomoto Group’s gastrointestinal business unit centered on amino acids. EA Pharma is a gastrointestinal specialty pharma, having a full value chain of research & development, production & logistics and sales & marketing.
For more information on EA Pharma Co., Ltd., please see　http://www.eapharma.co.jp/

2. About Calypso Biotech SA

Calypso Biotech SA, based in Switzerland, is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of novel biologics in the gastrointestinal disease area. Calypso Biotech SA was established in 2013 as a spin-off from Merck, and is funded by Merck Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Merck.
For more information on Calypso Biotech SA, please see　http://www.calypsobiotech.com/site/en/

3. About MMP-9

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme. In IBD pathology, MMP-9 is excessively expressed and activated within the inflamed gastrointestinal tissue. MMP-9 is thought to have a relation to damages to the gastrointestinal tract.