Under the terms of the agreement, Helsinn Healthcare will receive a worldwide exclusive license to ZP1846 and will be responsible for all further development, regulatory approvals, manufacturing, marketing and sales of the compound either on its own or through its sub-licensees.
In return Helsinn Healthcare will pay Zealand Pharma development milestones and sales milestones for an undisclosed amount. In addition, Zealand Pharma will receive royalties on future sales and Zealand Pharma retains the marketing rights to the Nordic countries. The total value of the non royalty portion of the partnership is valued at E140 million.
ZP1846 has completed Phase I in humans in the US. Zealand Pharma’s preclinical studies have demonstrated that ZP1846 is useful in the prevention and treatment of injuries to the intestinal epithelium caused by chemotherapy treatment, resulting in a reduction in the incidence of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea.
David Solomon, CEO of Zealand Pharma, said: We are delighted to be able to work with Helsinn on the development and commercialization of ZP1846. Helsinn Healthcare has a very strong worldwide presence in the cancer supportive care treatment area where ZP1846 will be a very important product in the prevention and treatment of injuries to the intestinal epithelium caused by chemotherapy treatment.