Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc has entered into an agreement for Biogen to acquire its investigational oral SINE compound KPT-350 and other assets for the treatment of certain neurological and neurodegenerative conditions.  KPT-350 is a novel therapeutic candidate that works by inhibiting XPO1, resulting in reductions in inflammation and neurotoxicity, as well as increasing neuroprotective responses.

Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen is acquiring KPT-350 and other assets targeting certain neurological conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In exchange, Karyopharm will receive a one-time upfront payment of $10 million from Biogen and is eligible to receive additional payments of up to $207 million based on the achievement by Biogen of future specified development and commercial milestones.  Karyopharm will also be eligible to receive tiered royalty payments from Biogen that reach low double digits based on future net sales of specified product candidates, including KPT-350.

“We believe that, as a global innovative leader in neuroscience that brings world-class capabilities in developing and commercializing products targeting a broad range of neurological conditions, Biogen is well suited to further advance the development of KPT-350,” said Michael G Kauffman, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. “This transaction is part of our broader strategy of partnering our non-oncology assets while we focus on our primary objective of executing the development of oral selinexor, our lead oncology candidate, pursuing regulatory approval in the United States and European Union, and transitioning toward a commercial-stage enterprise.”