Singapore, March 27 -- Alumis Inc., a US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and Japan's Kaken Pharmaceutical Co. have entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialise ESK-001, a highly selective, next-generation oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, for dermatology indications in Japan, with the option to expand the license to include rheumatological and gastrointestinal diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alumis will receive $40 million in upfront and near-term co-development payments in 2025 to 2026, with the potential to earn up to approximately $140 million in additional payments based on the achievement of milestones, and field option payments.

Alumis is also elig...