• Agreement underscores Norgine's mission to bring innovative therapies to patients and builds on our heritage in hepatology and specialty pharmaceuticals.
• Vir Biotechnology's chronic hepatitis delta treatment candidate has shown robust virological responses and reflects a differentiated approach to treatment.

Norgine, a leading European specialty pharmaceutical company, announced an exclusive licensing agreement under which Norgine will commercialise the combination of tobevibart and elebsiran for the treatment of chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) in Europe, Australia and New Zealand following the necessary marketing authorisations. There is a high unmet medical need for effective treatments for CHD given potential limitations with existing treatment options.

Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Vir Biotechnology will receive a EUR 55 million initial reimbursement payment and up to EUR 495 million in potential regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Additionally, Vir Biotechnology will receive tiered, mid-teen to high-twenties percent royalties on net sales in Norgine's licensed territories. Clinical development costs for the ongoing trials in Vir Biotechnology's ECLIPSE registrational program (ECLIPSE 1, 2 and 3) will be shared, with Norgine contributing a percentage of go-forward external costs. Norgine will be responsible for all commercialisation activities and will hold all marketing authorisations in its licensed territories. The closing of this transaction with respect to certain jurisdictions outside the United States is subject to Norgine receiving regulatory approval from the applicable authorities as may be required.

"Norgine has a rich history in hepatology and specialty care and this transaction represents a highly innovative and synergistic portfolio addition to continue our strong foothold in this space," said Janneke van der Kamp, Chief Executive Officer of Norgine. "By combining our proven commercial and regional expertise with cutting-edge science from Vir Biotechnology, we are reinforcing our commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. Collaborations like this affirm Norgine's position as a partner-of-choice for companies seeking a trusted collaborator in Europe, Australia and New Zealand."

"This collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver this important therapy to patients with chronic hepatitis delta in need of efficacious, safe and convenient treatment options," said Marianne De Backer, M.Sc., Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Vir Biotechnology. "Norgine's proven track record in specialty medicines across Europe, Australia and New Zealand complements our clinical development mettle and ongoing registrational efforts. Together, we aim to broaden access and improve outcomes for people living with this severe disease."

The combination of tobevibart and elebsiran offers the potential to treat the disease by tackling the viral lifecycle through multiple mechanisms. Tobevibart is an investigational neutralising monoclonal antibody that has been engineered for immune engagement. Elebsiran is an investigational small interfering RNA (siRNA) that is designed to enable targeted delivery to the liver and to reduce hepatitis B surface antigen, a protein which is required for the hepatitis D virus life cycle.