Baxter International, Inc. has signed an agreement with Kaketsuken, the Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute based in Kumamoto Japan, for the worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and market the recombinant protein ADAMTS13 for the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and related disorders.
   
ADAMTS13 is a bio-engineered version of a naturally occurring enzyme that plays a critical role in blood coagulation. TTP is a severe, often life-threatening condition marked by the formation of platelet-rich blood clots in blood vessels throughout the body.

"We are very excited to add recombinant ADAMTS13 to our development pipeline," said Hartmut J. Ehrlich, M.D., vice president of global R&D for Baxter's BioScience business. "Elucidating the role of recombinant ADAMTS13 in TTP and other blood-clotting disorders might provide us with a new treatment modality for thrombotic diseases, which is a substantial addition to our R&D pipeline."

Under the terms of the agreement, Baxter will have access to Kaketsuken's intellectual property rights for ADAMTS13 as well as an exclusive license worldwide, except for Japan where Baxter has a co-exclusive license to commercialize the drug with Kaketsuken. In addition to an upfront payment, Kaketsuken will receive development milestone payments.