As per the terms of the agreement, Glenmark is expected to receive an upfront payment as well as development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments from Sanofi-aventis. All such payments could reach a total of $325m.
The agents are vanilloid receptor (TRPV3) antagonist molecules, including a clinical compound, GRC 15300, which is currently in Phase I clinical development as a treatment for various pain conditions, including diabetic neuropathic pain and osteoarthritic pain.
In addition, Glenmark is eligible to receive tiered royalties on sales of products commercialised under the license. Sanofi-aventis is expected to have exclusive marketing rights in North America, EU and Japan, subject to Glenmark’s right to co-promote the products in the US and five Eastern European countries.
Moreover, Sanofi-aventis will also have co-marketing rights in 10 other countries including Brazil, Russia and China whereas Glenmark will retain exclusive rights in India and other countries of the rest of the world.
Marc Cluzel, EVP of R&D at Sanofi-aventis, said: “There continues to be a medical need for safer and more efficacious products for the treatment of painful
diabetic neurophathy and osteoarthritis pain. GRC 15300 brings an innovative approach to sanofi-aventis’ pain portfolio, which we believe may have promise to address a significant gap in treating chronic pain.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals on the development of this new programme, which represents our first partnership agreement in India in the pharmaceutical research area.”
Glenn Saldanha, CEO of GPL, said: “We have made excellent progress with our TRPV3 program at Glenmark and are very excited to be joining our efforts with those of Sanofi-aventis, a research-driven, global pharmaceutical company.”