Epiphany inks deal for shingles drug

Epiphany Biosciences has taken over the clinical development of an experimental therapy to treat shingles caused by the varicella zoster virus in a licensing pact struck with Sweden's Medivir. Medivir will retain marketing rights to Nordic countries while gaining an unspecified equity investment and up to $24.5 million in milestone payments.

"Licensing MIV-606 will strengthen Epiphany's portfolio of projects in the infectious disease area. The broad spectrum of herpes viruses inhibited by MIV-606 offers more than one large market opportunity" says Dr. Fred Volinsky, CEO and president of San Francisco-based Epiphany.

- see the release on the licensing deal