The large-molecule specialist is delivering on the plan put in place with its 2007 acquisition, with late-stage advances in psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD and lupus, execs say in interview with “The Pink Sheet.” Leading the way for parent company AstraZeneca in cancer immunotherapy, MedImmune says it is well positioned in that widely watched space with clinical candidates in four different mechanisms of action.

Deal brings AstraZeneca’s biologics subsidiary an anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody that could enter clinical trials this autumn. MedImmune will pay $225 million for the privately held biotech, with milestones of up to $275 million possible down the line.

AstraZeneca’s ability to combine its small molecules with MedImmune’s biologics gives the company an edge in the burgeoning field of immune-mediated cancer therapies, MedImmune’s oncology iMed chief said in Washington, D.C. April 7 at the AACR annual meeting.