The Grünenthal Group has announced that it has entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca for the global rights to Zomig (Zolmitriptan) excluding Japan. Zomig is indicated for the acute treatment of migraines and cluster headaches. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of the second quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory clearances.
“Migraine is a very debilitating disease with more than 75 million people worldwide suffering from attacks that can lead to sensitivity to light or sound, to nausea or even vomiting”, explains Gabriel Baertschi, chief executive officer of Grünenthal. “The acquisition of the well-established Zomig products complements our existing pain portfolio. Migraine has been one of the very few main pain indications we haven’t yet been able to offer a solution for. This is an important step to reach our ambition to become a € 2 billion company by 2022. It will also support our efforts to bring four to five innovative products to market in the same timeframe.”
Mark Mallon, executive vice president, Global Product & Portfolio Strategy at AstraZeneca said: “Grünenthal is an established partner with expertise in the treatment of pain. It is well placed to ensure patients continue to benefit from Zomig, and to extend the commercial potential of the medicine through its dedicated salesforce.”
Grünenthal will pay AstraZeneca $ 200 million upon completion. AstraZeneca will also receive up to an additional $ 102 million in future milestone payments. Grünenthal will acquire the rights to Zomig in all markets outside Japan, including the US, where the rights are licensed to Impax Pharmaceuticals (Impax) who will continue to market Zomig in the US. AstraZeneca will continue to manufacture and supply the medicine to Grünenthal during a transition period.