Vertex, Mitsubishi Amend Telaprevir Agreement In Asia

Vertex and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma have amended their agreement for the development and commercialization of telaprevir (for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection) in Japan and other countries in the Far East.

Under the terms of the amended agreement, Vertex will receive $105 million following signing, and will be eligible to receive further milestones upon approval and commercialization in Japan.

The amended agreement provides a fully-paid license to commercialize telaprevir as part of a combination regimen with interferon and ribavirin, to treat hepatitis C in Japan and the Far East.

Reportedly, Vertex retains exclusive development and commercial rights to telaprevir in North America. Janssen Pharmaceutica, holds development and commercial rights to telaprevir in Europe, South America, Australia, and the Middle East.

Kurt Graves, executive vice president, chief commercial officer and head of corporate development at Vertex, said: This amendment recognizes the value of telaprevir-based combination therapy as a potential major advance in the treatment of hepatitis C in Japan and Asian countries, aligning the telaprevir development program on a global basis.