Tokyo, Japan, and Cambridge, United Kingdom, November 4, 2026
Nxera Pharma Co., Ltd. has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with AbbVie Inc. for NXE0033744, an investigational oral EP4 receptor agonist being developed for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Under the agreement, AbbVie will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the drug candidate for IBD. Nxera will receive a US$100 million upfront payment and is eligible for up to an additional US$1.37 billion in development and commercial milestone payments, together with tiered royalties on future net sales. The agreement represents a significant partnership for the Japanese biopharmaceutical company and provides AbbVie with access to a potential new treatment approach for patients who do not achieve satisfactory disease control with existing therapies. The transaction remains subject to customary antitrust clearances, including under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
AbbVie Gains Worldwide Rights to Investigational IBD Candidate
The licensing agreement was entered into through Nxera’s subsidiary, Nxera Pharma UK Ltd, and gives AbbVie exclusive global development and commercialization rights to NXE0033744 for inflammatory bowel disease. The candidate was discovered using Nxera’s proprietary NxWave™ drug discovery platform, which is designed to identify small molecules with differentiated biological activity. The financial structure includes an upfront payment of US$100 million, with the potential for a further US$1.37 billion in development and commercial milestones if specified development, regulatory and commercial targets are achieved. Nxera will also be entitled to tiered royalties on net sales should the candidate reach the market. These potential milestone payments are conditional and should not be interpreted as guaranteed revenue. Nxera expects the upfront payment to have a material positive impact on its financial position. Subject to completion of the transaction by December 31, 2026, and agreement with its auditors, the company expects to recognize the payment as revenue in the fourth quarter of its 2026 financial year. The partnership builds on the companies’ existing relationship, which includes an ongoing neuroscience drug-discovery collaboration.
NXE0033744 Targets EP4 to Address Intestinal Inflammation
NXE0033744 is an investigational, oral, small-molecule EP4 receptor agonist designed to act locally in the gastrointestinal tract. EP4 is a receptor involved in biological processes associated with inflammation and tissue regulation. By selectively activating this receptor in the gut, the candidate is intended to produce anti-inflammatory effects while supporting epithelial barrier homeostasis and mucosal healing. Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic, relapsing inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive tract. Its two principal forms are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. People living with IBD may experience persistent inflammation, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms, while some patients do not achieve adequate disease control with currently available treatments. This creates a continuing need for therapies with alternative mechanisms of action. Nxera designed NXE0033744 to achieve a gut-selective profile with limited systemic exposure, potentially differentiating it from treatments that act more broadly throughout the body. The intended approach is to reduce intestinal inflammation and support repair of the intestinal lining. However, these proposed benefits remain investigational and will require further clinical evaluation to establish whether they translate into meaningful improvements for patients.
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Completed Phase 1 Study Supports Further Development
Nxera has completed the first-in-human Phase 1 clinical program for NXE0033744. The program included single- and multiple-ascending-dose studies, a cohort involving patients with ulcerative colitis and an indomethacin-challenge cohort. According to the company, the findings supported the candidate’s gut-restricted profile and demonstrated target engagement. One reported pharmacological finding was a reduction in indomethacin-induced intestinal permeability, providing evidence that the candidate engaged its intended biological pathway in the study setting. The company also reported that no adverse events of concern were identified during the completed Phase 1 program. These early findings provide a basis for continued development, but they do not establish long-term safety or clinical efficacy in people with IBD. The agreement allows AbbVie to lead the worldwide development and commercialization of NXE0033744 for this indication. AbbVie’s experience in immunology and global clinical development could support the next stages of the program. For Nxera, the deal provides substantial upfront funding and the opportunity to participate in potential future commercial value through milestone payments and royalties. Overall, the collaboration marks an important development in IBD drug discovery and biopharmaceutical partnering. Further clinical trials will be needed to determine whether NXE0033744 can demonstrate meaningful benefits for patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Source: Nxera Pharma, AbbVie press release
