Otsuka and UCB scale down collaboration

pharmafile | January 16, 2012 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Lundbeck, Otsuka, UCB 

Otsuka and UCB have scaled back the scope of their collaboration, and will now focus on developing drugs for the central nervous system.

The two firms did have a deal to also co-develop certain immunological drugs, but this has now been dropped.

As a result the companies will end their co-development and co-promotion agreement for the autoimmune drug Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) in Japan, which is licensed in number of countries to treat Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. 

UCB said in a statement that the decision to discontinue its collaboration in immunology was in line with Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s ‘clear priorities to focus in the future on CNS and oncology’.

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This is evident from the Japanese firm’s recent $1.8 billion deal with Lundbeck, that will see the two companies develop and reformulate a number of CNS drugs. 

Dr Taro Iwamoto, president of Otsuka, said. “Otsuka will strengthen the partnership with UCB in Japan while focusing on CNS compounds such as E Keppra, an anti-epileptic drug, and rotigotine, a dopamine agonist patch.

“We remain dedicated to maximising the value of these two compounds while continuing to investigate additional indications. Otsuka and UCB will build a strong sales base so that our compounds can positively contribute to a number of patients in need.”

Ben Adams 

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