Boehringer Ingelheim and LEO Pharma have entered an exclusive global license and transfer agreement to commercialize and further develop SPEVIGO (spesolimab), a monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin-36 (IL-36) receptor. SPEVIGO is approved for treating generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and potentially life-threatening autoinflammatory skin disease.
Under the agreement, LEO Pharma will take responsibility for commercializing SPEVIGO globally, leveraging its established dermatology platform to increase disease awareness and improve patient access. This partnership not only focuses on GPP but also explores SPEVIGO’s potential in other IL-36 related skin conditions with significant unmet medical needs.
Shashank Deshpande, Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, emphasized the importance of LEO Pharma’s dermatology expertise to fully realize SPEVIGO’s potential. “With over six decades of dedication to medical dermatology, LEO Pharma is well-positioned to build on the foundation we’ve established,” he said.
LEO Pharma CEO Christophe Bourdon highlighted the impact on patients, saying, “Partnering to bring SPEVIGO to more patients means addressing a disease with limited treatment options and improving quality of life.”
GPP causes painful pustules and systemic symptoms like fever and fatigue, often requiring urgent treatment. SPEVIGO is the first approved therapy specifically targeting the IL-36 pathway, available in over 40 countries including the U.S., Japan, China, and much of Europe. The drug has shown efficacy in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial and has expanded indications for GPP in multiple regions.
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, plus milestone payments and royalties, as part of the deal.