BioDelivery Sciences International and Purdue Pharma (Canada) announce that they have signed an exclusive agreement for the licensing, distribution, marketing and sale of BELBUCA (buprenorphine buccal film) in Canada.
BELBUCA was recently approved by Health Canada for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, continuous, long-term treatment and that is opioid-responsive and for which alternative options are inadequate. BELBUCA incorporates BDSI's BioErodible MucoAdhesive (BEMA) drug delivery technology and is the first and only long-acting opioid that uses novel buccal film technology to deliver buprenorphine for appropriate patients living with chronic pain.
According to the Canadian Pain Society, pain is the most common reason for seeking healthcare, with one in five Canadian adults suffering from chronic pain.
"We look forward to our partnership with Purdue Pharma (Canada) and expanding the reach of BELBUCA to patients in Canada who are suffering from chronic pain,” Dr. Mark A. Sirgo, President and CEO, BioDelivery Sciences International said. “We are particularly enthusiastic to be partnering with a company like Purdue given their long history and commitment to pain management as well as their expertise and strong presence in the Canadian pain market. The licensing of BELBUCA in Canada is a very important step for BioDelivery Sciences in broadening access to BELBUCA beyond the U.S., and we look forward to the introduction of the product."
In return for the licensing and distribution rights to BELBUCA in Canada, BioDelivery Sciences is eligible to receive upfront and potential milestones of up to $4.5 million CAD as well as royalties on net sales.