Cangene Corporation has signed an agreement with its majority shareholder, the Apotex Group, under which Cangene acquires all US commercialization rights for HepaGam B (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)). HepaGam B is Cangene's hepatitis B immune globulin, which is approved for treating two hepatitis-B-related indications in the US. The product has been gaining market share and revenues have increased steadily. Cangene's independent directors approved the new agreement after having determined that it is fair to Cangene and its shareholders. Apotex Corp., a member of the Apotex Group, has been marketing the product in the US since it was first approved there in 2006. The new agreement becomes effective on November 1, 2009. Cangene will pay Apotex a US$ 7.0-million upfront fee, as well as royalties on net US sales that occur from November 1, 2009 until June 2016.

"This is a pivotal step in our plan to expand our commercial operations in the US. We are focused on building a broader portfolio of hospital-based specialty products and will continue to seek further acquisition opportunities," said Dr John Langstaff, Cangene's president and CEO.

Cangene and Apotex will work closely together during a transfer period from November 1, 2009 until January 31, 2010, to ensure customers experience a smooth transition. During the transfer period, Cangene will be expanding its commercial, regulatory and medical affairs infrastructure in the US.

Cangene manufactures HepaGam B in its Winnipeg facility using a process similar to that of WinRho SDF, Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) and VariZIG, the company's other hyperimmune products that have been approved in the United States and/or Canada.

HepaGam B is a hyperimmune product containing antibodies specific for hepatitis B virus.

Hyperimmunes are purified preparations of specific immune globulins isolated from blood plasma.

Cangene is one of Canada's largest and earliest biopharmaceutical companies. It was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba.