03.09.11
Aeterna Zentaris, Inc. and Yakult Honsha Co. have signed an exclusive development, commercialization and licensing agreement for Aeterna Zentaris' lead anti-cancer compound perifosine, in Japan. Perifosine, a novel oral PI3K/Akt inhibitor, is currently in Phase III development for the treatment of colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma in the U.S. and Europe.
Aeterna Zentaris will receive $8.3 million upfront and is eligible to receive as much as $60.9 million if certain milestones are achieved. Aeterna Zentaris will be supplying perifosine to Yakult Honsha on a cost-plus-basis and is entitled to receive royalties on sales of perifosine in Japan. Yakult Honsha will be responsible for the development, registration and commercialization in Japan.
"We are delighted to have a partner such as Yakult Honsha who has a proven track record in oncology and particularly in colon cancer, one of the main indications being targeted with perifosine. This partnership marks another important milestone in our quest to bring perifosine to market worldwide, which could provide cancer patients with a novel treatment option. Furthermore, perifosine could generate significant long-term revenue for Aeterna Zentaris while building value for our shareholders," said Juergen Engel, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Aeterna Zentaris.
Mr. Shigeyoshi Sakamoto, head of the Pharmaceutical Division and managing director of Yakult Honsha, said, "We are delighted to have added perifosine to our pipeline in oncology, which we have positioned as our key therapeutic domain. We look forward to pursuing development and commercialization of perifosine in Japan, by efficiently utilizing the data of ongoing Phase III trials in the U.S. and Europe for patients with colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma. This partnership will enable us to further strengthen our initiative in the field of colorectal cancer and to embark on new fields including multiple myeloma."
Aeterna Zentaris will receive $8.3 million upfront and is eligible to receive as much as $60.9 million if certain milestones are achieved. Aeterna Zentaris will be supplying perifosine to Yakult Honsha on a cost-plus-basis and is entitled to receive royalties on sales of perifosine in Japan. Yakult Honsha will be responsible for the development, registration and commercialization in Japan.
"We are delighted to have a partner such as Yakult Honsha who has a proven track record in oncology and particularly in colon cancer, one of the main indications being targeted with perifosine. This partnership marks another important milestone in our quest to bring perifosine to market worldwide, which could provide cancer patients with a novel treatment option. Furthermore, perifosine could generate significant long-term revenue for Aeterna Zentaris while building value for our shareholders," said Juergen Engel, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Aeterna Zentaris.
Mr. Shigeyoshi Sakamoto, head of the Pharmaceutical Division and managing director of Yakult Honsha, said, "We are delighted to have added perifosine to our pipeline in oncology, which we have positioned as our key therapeutic domain. We look forward to pursuing development and commercialization of perifosine in Japan, by efficiently utilizing the data of ongoing Phase III trials in the U.S. and Europe for patients with colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma. This partnership will enable us to further strengthen our initiative in the field of colorectal cancer and to embark on new fields including multiple myeloma."