As per the terms of the deal, Astellas is eligible to get an undisclosed upfront payment from Merck along with development, regulatory and sales milestone.
Earlier, Cardiome Pharma has licensed Astellas US to develop and commercialize vernakalant i.v. in Canada, Mexico and the US in October 2003.
Presently, Vernakalant i.v. is approved in more than 10 European nations for rapid conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm.
Merck Cardiovascular and Atherosclerosis Research franchise head, senior vice president Michael Mendelsohn said with this agreement, Merck has secured worldwide rights to vernakalant i.v.
Astellas president and CEO Masao Yoshida said in reviewing the priorities of our North American development programs, Astellas has decided to divest its rights for vernakalant to Merck.