As per the terms of the agreement, Lundbeck is expected to pay an undisclosed fee as well as product supply payments in exchange for exclusive commercial rights to Sycrest in all markets outside the US, China and Japan.
Lundbeck expects to launch Sycrest in the EU, where it is already approved, at the beginning of 2011, while Merck is expected to retain exclusive commercial rights to asenapine in the US, China and Japan.
Merck Neuroscience and Ophthalmology senior vice president and general manager Beverly Lybrand said that they were pleased to collaborate with Lundbeck on this important commercial milestone.
"Merck will continue to focus our efforts on marketing Saphris in the US as part of our ongoing commitment to researching, developing and delivering medicines in the neurosciences disease area," Lybrand said.