Rigel Pharmaceuticals has partnered with AstraZeneca for a second time for the development and commercialisation of its inhaled JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitor R256, which is in preclinical development for moderate-to-severe chronic asthma. As part of the deal, which is potentially worth US$100 M, AstraZeneca will gain global rights to R256 and will design and conduct clinical development of the drug. AstraZeneca previously licensed global rights to Rigel’s fostamatinib disodium (R788), which is in Phase III development for rheumatoid arthritis.