Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc and Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, Osaka, Japan announced an exclusive license agreement under which Ono has acquired the rights to Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) in Japan, where it plans to develop and commercialize the US-approved drug for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. Relistor is being developed and commercialized in the rest of the world by Progenics and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth.
Under the agreement, Ono is responsible for developing and commercializing subcutaneous Relistor in Japan, including conducting the clinical development necessary to support regulatory marketing approval. Progenics will receive a $15 million upfront payment from Ono, with up to an additional $20 million payable upon achievement of development milestones. Further, Ono will pay to Progenics royalties and commercialization milestones on sales by Ono of subcutaneous Relistor in Japan. Ono also has the option to acquire from Progenics the rights to develop and commercialize in Japan other formulations of Relistor, including intravenous and oral forms, on terms to be negotiated separately.
"We are delighted to be working with Ono, one of the leading Japanese pharmaceutical companies, to make the benefits of Relistor available to patients in Japan -- a key market crucial to achieving worldwide access to this first-in-class product," said Paul J Maddon, Progenics' Founder, chief executive officer and chief science officer. "Ono's expertise in developing drugs for the Japanese market enhances Relistor's opportunity for commercial success there. Together, our companies are committed to bringing this therapy to the many patients in Japan who suffer from the debilitating side effects of opioid pain medications."
"We already filed an antiemetic drug for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and are developing anti-cancer biologics and cancer anorexia/cachexia drug in oncology area. We are glad to further expand our oncology pipeline by in-licensing MNTX from Progenics. We will actively and quickly develop this important medication for patients in Japan who suffer from opioid-induced constipation," said Gyo Sagara, president, representative director and CEO at Ono.
Relistor, administered via subcutaneous injection, is a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist that decreases the constipating effects of opioid pain medications in the gastrointestinal tract without affecting their ability to relieve pain.
Progenics Pharmaceuticals of Tarrytown, New York is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutic products to treat the unmet medical needs of patients with debilitating conditions and life-threatening diseases.