Otsuka, UCB to Co-promote Drugs in Japan

UCB and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co. have signed collaboration agreements under which the two companies will co-promote the anti-epileptic drug, Keppra and Cimzia for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease, in Japan. They will also co-develop and co-promote these drugs in other indications. UCB will join Otsuka in co-promoting the anti-platelet agent Pletaal to selected accounts for a limited period. UCB will receive as much as $178 million in upfront and milestone payments as well as funding for the clinical development of Keppra and Cimzia.
   
“We are excited to enter into this important strategic relationship with Otsuka, which is one of the top Japanese pharmaceutical companies and which has an excellent reputation in drug development, marketing and sales and an entrepreneurial culture that is consistent with our own,” said Roch Doliveux, chief executive officer UCB. “This relationship will ensure that together we can successfully launch and maximize the potential of Keppra and Cimzia in Japan and accelerate market access for the benefit of patients in Japan.”
   
“We highly evaluate these compounds and UCB’s experience in this area,” said Tatsuo Higuchi, president and representative director of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. “We are delighted to have this opportunity to collaborate with UCB to address the unmet medical needs of patients suffering from these diseases and to develop these innovative products and expand our businesses together.”
   
The companies plan to submit filing dossiers for Keppra in epilepsy and Cimzia in Crohn’s disease to the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) by early 2009.