Parnevik firm in Swiss osteoporosis deal
The golf legend Jesper Parnevik's drug delivery firm EffRx has signed a license agreement with Nycomed for a new drug against osteoporosis.
” We are very satisfied with this agreement. Nycomed is a great partner, because the company is already in the osteoporosis industry and understand the market .”, says Christer Rosén, CEO of EffRx.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nycomed will receive the exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise EX101 for treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. The licensing agreements includes Europe, Russia, the Middle East North Africa, Latin America and Canada. EffRx will receive an initial reward and could receive potential additional payments in the total of USD 59 million upon fulfilment of all milestones. In addition, EffRx will be granted double-digit royalties on future sales of EX101. Nycomed will be responsible for conducting the necessary studies required for marketing approval.
EX101 is a once weekly administration of an effervescent formulation of alendronate, bisphosphonate, for treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Alendronate reduces the risk of vertebral and hip fractures. EX101 is currently in late stage clinical development, and submission for European approval is expected by end of 2009. An approval to launch in the US is expecting in 2010, and an approval for the European market is expecting later.
“ This is a big step in the osteoporosis research. EX101 offers several benefits for osteoporosis patients, who now will get a more convenient drug, compared to the current treatments ”, says Christer Rosén.