Bristol-Myers and AstraZeneca expand diabetes drug collaboration

Dapagliflozin, one of two investigational drugs under joint development by the companies, is currently being studied in Phase III clinical trials in several countries, including the US, to assess its efficacy and safety as a once-daily treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have previously entered into a global collaboration, excluding Japan, to enable the companies to research, develop and commercialize dapagliflozin. The companies now have agreed to co-develop dapagliflozin in Japan with AstraZeneca having operational and cost responsibility for all development and regulatory activities on behalf of the collaboration.

The two companies will jointly market the product in Japan, sharing all commercialization expenses and activities and splitting profits/losses equally. Bristol-Myers Squibb will manufacture dapagliflozin and also book sales. Dapagliflozin is currently being studied in Phase II clinical trials in Japan.

Lamberto Andreotti, executive vice president and COO of Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: Our companies have a shared vision for these diabetes treatments, and this agreement will help ensure we can successfully launch and maximize the potential of dapagliflozin for the more than six million people in Japan living with type 2 diabetes.