Ligand, Sermonix Ink Lasofoxifene Development Pact

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. has signed a license agreement with Sermonix Pharmaceuticals LLC for the development and commercialization of oral lasofoxifene in the U.S. and additional territories. Ligand received an undisclosed initial payment and is entitled to receive as much as $45 million in potential regulatory and commercial milestones and royalties of 6% to 10% on future sales. Lasofoxifene is an estrogen partial agonist for the treatment of osteoporosis and other diseases.
 
“Lasofoxifene has a promising profile and a large clinical dataset, and we are excited to see development of the oral form move forward in additional territories,” said John Higgins, chief executive officer of Ligand. “Sermonix is highly familiar with lasofoxifene and is well-positioned to advance its development, and we look forward to their progress with this important program.”
 
“Sermonix is excited to partner with Ligand on lasofoxifene, a best-in-class selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM, and to seek regulatory approval of this remarkable drug,” said David Portman, M.D., chief executive officer of Sermonix. “The robust clinical development program to date has demonstrated efficacy for many common conditions greatly impacting women’s health in mid-life, with targeted beneficial effects on the vagina, bone and breast.”