Eli Lilly Enters Into Co-Promotion Agreement With Kowa

Eli Lilly and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America (Kowa) have entered into a co-promotion agreement in the US to commercialise Livalo (pitavastatin). Lilly and Kowa have also entered into a licensing agreement in Latin America.

Livalo is a statin approved by the FDA in August 2009, for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

As per the agreements, Kowa is expected to receive an undisclosed upfront payment. Lilly and Kowa will co-promote Livalo in the US market. In addition, Lilly has acquired an exclusive license from Kowa to commercialise Livalo in Latin American markets, including Mexico, Central America and South America. Additional deal terms were not disclosed.

John Lechleiter, chairman and chief executive officer of Lilly, said: “We are pleased to partner with Kowa to help bring this new statin to market and provide patients a new option to help control their cholesterol. Our co-promotion arrangement in the US. and licensing arrangement in Latin America will allow Lilly to expand our product offerings in the cardiovascular therapeutic area and more efficiently utilize our existing cardiovascular sales force.”

Yoshihiro Miwa, president and CEO of Kowa, said: “It is with great pleasure that we partner with Lilly. With a joint effort by Lilly, Kowa and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, we hope to pave the way for the efficient market entry and establish a presence with Livalo in the statin market in the US and Latin America.”

Ben Stakely, president and CEO of Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, said: “We are excited to partner with Lilly as we work to establish the Livalo brand and expand Kowa’s presence in the US market.”