Alumis and Kaken Pharmaceutical have entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialize ESK-001, a highly selective, next-generation oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, for dermatology indications in Japan, with the option to expand the license to include rheumatological and gastrointestinal diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alumis will receive USD 40 million in upfront and near-term co-development payments from 2025 to 2026, with the potential to earn up to approximately USD 140 million in additional payments based on the achievement of milestones and field option payments. Alumis is also eligible to receive tiered royalties ranging from the low double-digits into the twenties on aggregate net sales of ESK-001 in Japan.

Kaken will be responsible for the clinical development, regulatory approvals and commercialization of ESK-001 in Japan, and Alumis will retain rights to ESK-001 in all other geographies. Kaken will also contribute to a portion of the global development costs of ESK-001.

“We are thrilled to announce this agreement with Kaken, a dermatology leader with significant reach and expertise in the Japanese market. This partnership builds on the positive Phase 2 clinical data of ESK-001, our next-generation oral TYK2 inhibitor, supporting our objectives to unlock its full therapeutic potential and ensure ESK-001 is widely accessible to people with immune-mediated disorders around the world,” said Martin Babler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alumis.

“We are delighted to enter into an agreement with Alumis to develop ESK-001 for the Japanese market. We strongly believe in the potential of ESK-001 to address a range of medical needs in the dermatology space and potentially rheumatological and gastrointestinal diseases in the future. ESK-001 will be an important addition to the Kaken portfolio of novel therapeutics for dermatology conditions,” said Hiroyuki Horiuchi, President and Representative Director of Kaken.