Perifosine inhibits Akt activation in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and works by interfering with membranes of cancer cells thereby inhibiting Akt signaling which then affects cell death, growth, differentiation and survival.
As per the terms of the agreement, Yakult Honsha is responsible to pay EUR6m as an upfront payment initially to Aeterna Zentaris and EUR44m upon achieving certain pre-established milestones including clinical and regulatory events in Japan.
Furthermore, Aeterna Zentaris will be supplying Perifosine to Yakult Honsha on a cost-plus-basis and be entitled to receive double-digit royalties on future net sales of Perifosine in Japan.
However, Yakult Honsha will be responsible to develop, commercialize and register the product in Japan.
Aeterna Zentaris president and CEO Juergen Engel said they have now out-licensed Perifosine rights to Keryx Biopharmaceuticals for North America, to Handok for Korea and to Yakult Honsha for Japan, while Aeterna Zentaris retains all rights for the rest of the world.
"In order to ensure a worldwide timely development of perifosine, Aeterna Zentaris and all its partners have agreed to free access to all data," Engel said.
Yakult Honsha Pharmaceutical Division head Shigeyoshi Sakamoto said they look forward to pursuing development and commercialization of perifosine in Japan, by appropriately and efficiently utilizing the data of ongoing Phase 3 trials in the US and Europe for patients with colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma.