Actelion has signed an agreement with GSK valued at as much as $3.3 billion to jointly develop and market Actelion's experimental sleeping pill candidate, almorexant. Actelion will receive an upfront payment of $148 million and $409 million upon registration of the drug. Actelion is also eligible to receive as much as $2.7 billion in success-based milestones, as well as royalties. Under the agreement, GSK will receive exclusive worldwide rights, excluding Japan, to co-develop and co-commercialize the drug.
Results from a late stage-trial investigating almorexant's safety and efficacy in insomnia patients are expected in 2009. Current data suggests the drug helps insomniacs fall and stay asleep in a nonsedative fashion.
Actelion will continue to lead the development program and potential registration for almorexant in the first indication, primary insomnia, with GSK contributing 40% of the costs. Almorexant will also be studied in other orexin-related disorders and all costs and profits related to these programs will be shared equally.
Magazine
