RE: All Auto Immune Systems16 Mar 2025 23:30
Nolupus,
Could you elaborate further when you said "first refusal on other indications (outside lupus)" and "obstacle to any future deal".
My interpretation is Avion has the 'rights', that is to say first say, if they want to license other indications, in the U.S. only, before Immupharma can talk to other potential partner(s). But they have to pay the market rate.
It is in my opinion, absolutely absurd they have the refusal/veto rights. There were nothing in the past RNS mentioned about this. If Avion really do have this refusal rights, Immupharma would have already had held talks with them and settled it. Again, that is to say Avion has first say of any other indications they want to license in the U.S. only. If not, Immupharma can embark on talks with new potential partner(s). And that is what Immupharma have been doing and is doing.
If I categorise pharmas into minor, medium or major groups, I would put Avion in the minor group. Because that's what they are. Yes, they are a private company, so financially nothing much is know about them. But I definitely do not believe they have the financial clout of the big pharmas. That is to say, they can't outbid the big pharmas. Asked yourself why Avion only took the U.S rights to lupus and not the worldwide rights as is the vast majority norm in the pharma licensing world. Is it because having worldwide rights would cost more and is out of their reach? Or is it because they are derisking, by just taking the U.S. rights?
As I said before not long ago, Avion got lucky. With further advanced work Immupharma have done now since Avion deal and Lupuzor goes on to became multi-billions, Avion has got the deal of the century. Where can you find such a deal in the pharma world paying peanuts and doing, well bugger all (on further advancing P140 developments).