California-based Orexigen has announced the licensing of certain intellectual property (IP) from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), that expands the company’s IP position underlying Contrave, its lead product candidate for the treatment of obesity.
Financial details were undisclosed yet.
Orexigen has secured non-exclusive rights to certain formulation patents related to bupropion, one of the constituents of Contrave. The transaction is not expected to materially impact the company’s financial position.
Earlier, top line results for the first of four phase-III clinical trials for Contrave, NB-302, were announced in January 2009. Results from the three other phase-III clinical trials (NB-301, NB-303, NB-304) are expected to be announced in the third quarter of 2009. The company expects to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) with the FDA in the first half of 2010.
Michael Narachi, President and CEO of Orexigen, said: This license agreement with GSK complements the IP foundation of Contrave, providing us with additional product formulation options as we pursue regulatory approval and potential commercialization of Contrave.”