Menarini Receives Exclusive Licence Rights For Adenuric

Ipsen has entered into an agreement under which Ipsen grants exclusive licence rights for Adenuric (febuxostat) to the Menarini Group. Adenuric 80mg and 120mg tablets are indicated for the treatment of chronic hyperuricaemia for conditions in which urate deposition has already occurred.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ipsen grants Menarini exclusive licence rights to Adenuric in the EU, Russia and countries west of Russia for a total of 41 countries. In return, Ipsen will receive progressive payments of up to E132m starting at the signature of the transaction and upon the achievement of certain launch and commercial milestones.

Ipsen is also expected to receive low-teens royalties on Menarini’s net sales. In France, Adenuric will be co-promoted by Menarini and Ipsen. Menarini expects the first European launches in early 2010. The product will be directly supplied to Menarini by Teijin.

Jean-Luc Belingard, chairman and CEO of Ipsen, said : “Adenuric is the first product launch coming from our fruitful two-way collaboration with our long-standing and valuable partner, Teijin, across Europe and Japan. We are delighted to enter into this agreement with the Menarini Group, an excellent partner in terms of geographical coverage and quality of medical information. Adenuric will also strengthen our primary care franchise in France through our co-promotion agreement.”