Schering-Plough Clarifies Golimumab Rights

Schering-Plough received clarification regarding the expiration date for its rights to market golimumab worldwide, excluding the U.S., Japan and certain other Asian markets. In August 2005, Schering-Plough and Centocor stated that they were working together to move forward with their collaboration on golimumab and were taking steps to resolve the difference of opinion as to the expiration date.

Schering-Plough’s rights to market golimumab will extend to 15 years after the first commercial sale in its territories. The company plans to launch golimumab in 2009 or 2010.

Developed by Centocor and Schering-Plough, golimumab is a fully-human monoclonal antibody being developed as a treatment for certain immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Golimumab is currently being investigated in Phase III trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.