JAK Inhibitor Alopecia Areata Treatment Development Deal Announced

It has just been announced that Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Aclaris Therapeutics International Limited (ATIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc., have come together to develop and bring to market a new treatment for Alopecia Areata based on specified Rigel JAK inhibitors in an exclusive, worldwide license agreement.

Hope for severe alopecia areata

Under the terms of this agreement, ATIL will be responsible for continuing to develop specified Rigel JAK inhibitor compounds in order to safely and effectively treat the autoimmune condition. The companies' press release advises this treatment will also be applied to other dermatological conditions.

It was recently discovered that Alopecia Areata - including its two rarer, more severe forms, Alopecia Totalis and Alopecia Universalis - is the second most common cause of hair loss in the world. Therefore, with this in mind, the figures given in connection with the deal are perhaps unsurprising based upon the huge numbers of people affected any potential treatment may help.

In addition to a one-off, upfront payment of $8 million, Rigel is eligible to receive 'milestone payments' and 'tiered royalties' on any future sales of the compounds developed. The milestone payments reportedly range up to $90 million depending on hitting various global development and other indication targets.

"This partnership allows us to advance an opportunity that is outside of Rigel's area of focus," said president and CEO of Rigel, Raul R. Rodriguez. "We are delighted to partner with Aclaris to strive to bring hope to alopecia areata patients."