Boehringer Ingelheim and LEO Pharma Form Partnership to Advance and Commercialise SPEVIGO®
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Boehringer Ingelheim and LEO Pharma have entered into an exclusive global licensing and transfer agreement for the development and commercialisation of SPEVIGO® (spesolimab).
SPEVIGO® is a humanised and targeted monoclonal antibody designed to block the activation of the interleukin-36 (IL-36) receptor. This receptor is a key component of the immune system and is linked to several autoinflammatory skin conditions, including generalised pustular psoriasis (GPP). The partnership aims to expand the potential of spesolimab beyond GPP into other skin diseases where IL-36 is believed to play a role and where treatment options remain limited.
As part of the agreement, LEO Pharma will take charge of the further development and global commercialisation of SPEVIGO®. The company will use its established medical dermatology platform to raise awareness of GPP and improve access to treatment. The addition of SPEVIGO® enhances LEO Pharma’s dermatology portfolio and supports its long-standing commitment to advancing therapies in skin disease.
GPP is a rare and potentially severe skin condition. It causes widespread, painful pustules due to the build-up of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the skin. The disease can vary in presentation, with some individuals experiencing sudden flares accompanied by symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and a risk of organ complications, while others live with ongoing symptoms that flare intermittently.
SPEVIGO® is currently available in over 40 countries, including the United States, Japan, China, and many European markets, for the treatment of adult GPP flares. It is the first approved medicine for GPP that targets the IL-36 pathway and has been evaluated in a robust, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The product has also received regulatory approvals for expanded indications related to GPP in the EU, U.S., and China and is being studied for use in other IL-36-driven skin conditions.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. Boehringer Ingelheim will receive an upfront payment of EUR 90 million, in addition to milestone payments and tiered royalties.
Source: businesswire.com
