GPC Biotech signs deal with Yakult for Japanese cancer drug

Under the terms of the agreement, Yakult gains exclusive commercialization rights to satraplatin and will take the lead in developing the drug in Japan.

Yakult will provide an upfront payment of $10 million to GPC Biotech as reimbursement for past satraplatin clinical development expenses. Yakult will also make GPC Biotech additional payments based on the achievement of certain regulatory filing and approval milestones. GPC Biotech will also receive a minimum of 21% royalties on sales of satraplatin in Japan.

Commenting on the deal, Teruo Yokokura, head of the pharmaceutical division of Yakult Honsha, said, we look forward to building on the solid foundation of the phase III data from the satraplatin SPARC trial conducted by GPC Biotech in second-line hormone-refractory prostate cancer to bring this product through development, the regulatory process and onto the market in Japan. We believe that, if shown to be effective and well-tolerated, satraplatin, which is given as capsules that patients can take at home, could be an important option for cancer patients in Japan.

Satraplatin, an investigational drug, is a member of the platinum family of compounds, which are used to treat a wide variety of cancers. Satraplatin is not currently approved by the FDA in the US, by the EMEA in the European Union or any other regulatory authority.