Biohaven Acquires Global Rights for Dual TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor BHV-8000 from Highlightll

US-based Biohaven Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN) has announced the acquisition of global rights, excluding China regions, for the development of an oral, brain-penetrant, dual inhibitor of Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2) and Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) for the treatment of brain disorders. The compound, BHV-8000 (previously TLL-041), was licensed from Hangzhou Highlightll Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Biohaven plans to advance the agent into a Phase I study in 2023.

Financial Terms and Development Coordination
Under the terms of the agreement, Highlightll will receive USD 10 million in upfront cash and USD 10 million in BHVN equity, along with development and commercial milestone payments of up to USD 950 million, and tiered royalty payments ranging from mid-single digit to lower teens percentages. Biohaven and Highlightll will coordinate clinical development across global regions.

Mechanism and Potential of BHV-8000
BHV-8000 is a highly selective, brain-penetrant, dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor. TYK2 and JAK1 are STAT pathway activators that address a range of proinflammatory cytokines. Inhibiting these kinases may play a significant role in reducing inflammation in neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. BHV-8000 has demonstrated high selectivity over JAK2, JAK3, and other kinases, potentially offering improved safety over less selective or non-selective JAK inhibitors. Mechanistic proof of concept for BHV-8000 has been demonstrated in multiple preclinical models.

About Hangzhou Highlightll and Biohaven
Hangzhou Highlightll is an innovative drug development company focused on the research and development of small molecules for the treatment of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and central nervous system diseases. BHV-8000 is the company’s lead project, a peripheral TYK2/JAK1 dual inhibitor being evaluated in clinical trials in the US and China for immunological disorders.

Biohaven is a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing life-changing therapies for people with debilitating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, including rare disorders. In October 2022, Pfizer acquired Biohaven’s migraine drug rimegepant and related pipeline candidates in a deal worth USD 11.6 billion.-Fineline Info & Tech

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