Helsinn and Eisai have announced a revised agreement for their chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) franchise.
Under the new arrangement, Helsinn Therapeutics Inc., the U.S. affiliate of Helsinn, will obtain exclusive rights to promote and sell AKYNZEO (netupitant/palonosetron), its oral fixed dose combination product for the prevention of CINV. AKYNZEO had previously been co-promoted in the U.S. by both Helsinn and Eisai. As part of the revised agreement, Eisai and Helsinn will continue to co-promote ALOXI (palonosetron HCl) injection in the U.S. for CINV. CINV is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.
"The acquisition of exclusive rights to AKYNZEO is an important milestone for Helsinn as it marks our commercial expansion in the U.S.," said Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group Vice Chairman and CEO. "We are excited to have this unique opportunity with AKYNZEO while still maintaining our long-standing partnership with Eisai for ALOXI."
"This revised arrangement will enable Eisai to focus on ALOXI and our growing oncology franchise," said Shaji Procida, President and Chief Operating Officer, Eisai Inc. "We are proud of our past collaboration with Helsinn and are pleased to continue to partner on making ALOXI available to the oncology community."