Collaborations
Amgen Inc.
In 1996, NPS licensed worldwide rights to small molecules known as calcimimetics for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism (HPT) to Amgen Inc. with the exception of certain Asian countries in which calcimimetics are licensed to Kirin (as described below). Amgen assumed all responsibility for the development of these drugs (the lead compound is designated cinacalcet HCl) for the treatment of HPT and has rights to market calcimimetics exclusively in its territory. NPS is entitled to receive royalties from product sales. In 2004, Amgen received FDA approval for cinacalcet HCl to be sold as a treatment for secondary HPT in dialysis patients as Sensipar® in the U.S. (and as Mimpara® in the E.U.)
Sensipar® and Mimpara® are registered trademarks owned by Amgen Inc.
GlaxoSmithKline Corporation
GlaxoSmithKline Corporation and NPS have collaborated since 1993 on the discovery and development of novel, orally active drugs called calcylitics for the treatment of osteoporosis. The company received various stages of equity investments totaling $8.95 million, a license fee of $6 million, and $3 million in milestone payments from GlaxoSmithKline, which has rights to market calcylitics developed under the NPS agreement on a worldwide basis. NPS is entitled to receive royalties on sales of any drugs resulting from this agreement and a share of the profits from products co-promoted in North America.
Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V.
A license agreement between NPS and Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) was signed in October 1998. Under the terms of the agreement, Janssen is pursuing the discovery and development of treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders based on proprietary NPS technology. The agreement included an initial license fee, research funding, and milestone payments contingent upon successful achievement of clinical development benchmarks. Royalties from the sale of any commercial products developed from the collaboration will also be paid to NPS by Janssen.
Kirin Pharma
NPS has an agreement with the Pharmaceutical Division of Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. of Tokyo to develop and commercialize calcimimetics for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism in the countries of Japan, China, North and South Korea, and Taiwan. The company received a $5 million license payment from Kirin and has received approximately $7 million in research support payments since entering into the agreement in June 1995. Kirin has also paid the company two milestone payments in the aggregate amount of $7 million for attainment of certain scientific milestones. Kirin launched REGPARA® tablets in the first quarter of 2008.
Nycomed Group
In 2004, NPS and Nycomed Group signed a distribution and license agreement granting Nycomed rights to develop and market the investigational osteoporosis drug, PREOS® or Preotact™ in Europe, including the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Turkey. Nycomed will be responsible for European clinical development, registration and marketing of Preotact. Nycomed made an equity investment in NPS of $40 million by purchasing 1.33 million common shares, and has agreed to pay NPS up to $25 million in milestones upon regulatory approvals and achievement of certain sales targets, plus royalties on sales in Europe. Nycomed will also be responsible for conducting Phase 3b and 4 clinical trials in Europe, representing a minimum additional investment of $25 million. The agreement between NPS and Nycomed further strengthens Nycomed's position of leadership in the rapidly growing European osteoporosis market and enables NPS to focus on preparing PREOS for launch in North America.
Academic and Medical Institutions
Since early 1993, NPS has collaborated on various research efforts with the Brigham and Women's Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard University, and with other academic institutions around the world. In addition, NPS has entered into a collaborative arrangement with scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School to investigate the biology of the receptor for the C-terminal region of parathyroid hormone and its role in potential treatments for osteoporosis.
Business Development/Licensing at NPS Pharmaceuticals
NPS views partnerships and licensing as key components of our corporate strategy. We consider it to be important that our business development and partnering activities foster effective and successful development and commercialization of the products in the NPS pipeline.
Licensing opportunities will be sought for products within the following focus areas: osteoporosis, gastrointestinal disorders, and CNS disorders.
Visit our Business Development Contact Form to contact us regarding collaborations. Thank you for your interest in NPS Pharmaceuticals.