Hogan Lovells advised TESARO, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, on its global collaboration and licensing agreement with Janssen Biotech Inc., focused on the development and commercialization of the drug niraparib specifically for the treatment of prostate cancer.

The collaboration, in which Janssen will develop and commercialize niraparib for patients with prostate cancer worldwide, except in Japan, will accelerate efforts to expand the treatment options available for men with prostate cancer. Niraparib is a potent and highly selective PARP inhibitor that is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials for ovarian and breast cancer.

Under the terms of the agreement, TESARO will receive an upfront payment of US$35 million, and is eligible to receive additional milestone payments of up to US$415 million. Janssen will be responsible for funding all development and commercialization activities related to niraparib in prostate cancer. Separately, Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJDC, Inc.) is making a US$50 million equity investment in TESARO at a price of US$44.24 per share.

The Hogan Lovells team was led by Asher Rubin, and included
Adam Bellack, William Intner, Drew Cook, Tom Kennedy, Alison Lehner, Adriana Tibbitts, Bob Leibenluft, Alan Dye, Michele Harrington, Dan Davidson, Meredith Manning, Phil Katz, Scott Haiber, Lauren Battaglia, Arlene Chow, Alan Hicks, Jim Johnson, Annie Purcell, Nick Hoover, Peter Noh, Christine Lane, Joanna Yoon, Kirsten Young, Tina Debeljak, Marta Miglietti, and Joerg Schickert.