With initial efficacy data from late-stage studies due in the third quarter, AEterna Zentaris has inked a $165 million licensing deal with Sanofi-aventis for cetrorelix, a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. AEterna gets $30 million of that upfront with $135 million available in potential milestones.
While Sanofi nabs U.S. marketing rights, the deal also gives AEterna escalating royalties for the U.S. market along with certain co-promotion rights. And Sanofi will be responsible for Phase 3b and 4 trials, making the data available to Canada's AEterna for use in other markets. Cetrorelix is a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist for BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that affects more than 20 million American men.
"This compound could generate significant long-term revenue for the company while building value for our shareholders," said Juergen Engel, Ph.D., president and CEO of AEterna Zentaris. The therapy is currently in three late-stage clinical trials involving more than 1,600 patients. If everything goes according to plan, AEterna expects to file an NDA in 2010.
- check out the AEterna release