Nordic Life Science 1
TOP STORIES Sofia Mayans and Dan AstraZeneca has
amended its collaboration agreement with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals in the China mainland, China Hong Kong and China Macau markets for Linzess, a new treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Holmberg, founders, Inficure Bio BUSINESS DEAL U INFICURE BIO HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH A PUBLICLY LISTED PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURER IN THE US. NFICURE BIO HAS developed a process that makes it easier and faster for pharmaceutical companies to test drugs that treat fibrosis, which is scar tissue in organs. Scar tissue occurs when the organ is damaged, and a common cause of organ damage is inflammation of the tissue. While fibrosis in itself may not be a serious health problem, uncontrolled fibrosis can result in organ failure. An example of this is when the development of fatty liver drives a constant inflammation that in turn leads to large amounts of fibrosis and liver failure. “The US company is investing heavily in the treatment of fibrosis and has many substances under development. This deal gives us the opportunity to get long-term repeat business as it is likely the company will want to test more substances if the tests we are currently conducting prove promising. Customers like this provide us with stability and the opportunity to continue to develop,” says Sofia Mayans, CEO, Inficure.“Our focus has mainly been on the US, Europe and Australian markets, but we are currently also working on the introduction of our model into the Korean market. This will certainly broaden our market opportunities and potential revenues.” BACTIGUARD SIGNS GLOBAL LICENSE AGREEMENT THE COMPANY HAS ENTERED INTO AN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT FOR ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMA IMPLANTS WITH ZIMMER BIOMET. THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES an upfront license fee of USD 3 million payable at signing, with additional contingent payments of USD 2 million, based on U.S. regulatory clearance and royalties on net sales following commercialization. “Our new, global partnership has the potential of expanding Bactiguard’s current license business significantly and making a substantial contribution to our license revenues, both in the near term and in a longer perspective,” says Christian Kinch, CEO, Bactiguard. Orthopedic trauma implants with Bactiguard’s infection preventive technology were CE marked in December 2018 and will be used as a reference in the process of obtaining regulatory clearance. NDER THE ORIGINAL collaboration agreement, AstraZeneca and Ironwood were jointly responsible for strategic oversight of the development and commercialization of Linzess in China, while AstraZeneca had primary responsibility for local operational execution. Linzess was approved by the National Medical Products Administration for adults with IBS-C in January 2019 in China, where it is expected to be launched in 2019. “The amended agreement allows us to bring this innovative medicine to patients more efficiently and will contribute further to our strong growth in this significant market,” says Leon Wang, President, AstraZeneca China. AstraZeneca will pay IronChristian Kinch, CEO, Bactiguard wood three non-contingent payments, totaling $35m, between 2021 and 2024. In addition, Ironwood could receive up to $90m in milestone payments, contingent on the achievement of certain sales targets. Ironwood will also be eligible for royalties beginning in the mid-single-digit percent, based on the annual net sales of Linzess in the China mainland, China Hong Kong and China Macau markets, where Ironwood will no longer jointly fund the development and commercialization of Linzess or share in the profit from sales. NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG 11 PHOTO MARIA HÖRNBERG