Roche has walked away from a collaboration with US drugmaker PDL BioParma for the development of daclizumab for organ transplants, leaving the latter searching for a development partner for the drug.
In August the Swiss drug major said it would no longer contribute to a project aimed at developing daclizumab for asthma, prompting PDL to say it would look for another partner for the project.
Roche already sells the antibody under license, as Zenapax, for initial use in organ transplant patients, but had been trying to build evidence to extend its use to include a more lucrative maintenance indication. Phase II trials were expected to get underway next year.
Daclizumab is also being evaluated for use in multiple sclerosis and other diseases in a collaboration with Biogen Idec, according to PDL, and as the company’s revenue stream from the drug remains intact investors were gentle with the company following the news. Shares in PDL escaped relatively unscathed, down 4% in after-hours trading.
PDL said it would evaluate its options in the development of daclizumab for maintenance of transplant patients, and continue to seek a partner for the asthma project.
