Abbott, Neurocrine in Endometriosis Pact

Abbott and Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. have entered into a collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize elagolix for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain. Elagolix is a novel, first-in-class oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist that has recently completed a Phase IIb study in endometriosis. In addition to endometriosis, elagolix will be evaluated for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Abbott will receive worldwide exclusive rights to develop and commercialize elagolix and all next-generation GnRH antagonists for women’s and men’s health. Abbott will make an upfront payment of $75 million and will fund all ongoing development activities. Neurocrine is eligible to receive additional milestone payments of approximately $500 million from Abbott for the achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as funding for certain internal collaboration expenses and undisclosed royalty payments on any future product sales.

“Extensive preclinical and clinical experience with elagolix suggests this drug could be an important advance for women with endometriosis and uterine fibroids, highly prevalent conditions where there is a need for new treatments,” said John Leonard, M.D., senior vice president, pharmaceuticals, R&D, Abbott. “This agreement enhances Abbott’s late stage pipeline, with the potential for additional compounds in earlier stage development.”