Incyte and Maruho Co., Ltd. have announced that the companies have entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement for the development, manufacturing and exclusive commercialization of ruxolitinib cream, a novel cream formulation of Incyte’s selective JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory dermatology indications in Japan.

Under the terms of the agreement, Maruho will make an upfront payment to Incyte and Incyte is eligible to receive additional potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones and royalties on net sales of the licensed product in Japan.

Maruho will receive the rights to develop, manufacture and exclusively commercialize ruxolitinib cream, and other potential future topical formulations of ruxolitinib, in autoimmune and inflammatory dermatologic diseases, including vitiligo and atopic dermatitis, in Japan.

"Having successfully launched Opzelura (ruxolitinib cream) in atopic dermatitis in the United States, and with a regulatory decision for ruxolitinib cream in the U.S. and regulatory feedback in Europe expected this year for vitiligo, we are eager to begin our collaboration with Maruho, a company specialized in dermatology in Japan,” said Hervé Hoppenot, Chief Executive Officer, Incyte.