Swiss cancer care company Helsinn Group has signed an exclusive agreement with research-based pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma Canada, for the distribution and licensing of Akynzeo.
Akynzeo is the oral fixed combination of netupitant and palonosetron and is used to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
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As per the terms of the deal, Helsinn will continue to carry out the clinical development activities, along with the manufacturing and supply of Akynzeo.
Purdue Pharma will enjoy the rights to registration, promotion, marketing, sales and distribution of Akynzeo across Canada.
Helsinn Group vice chairman and CEO Riccardo Braglia said: “We are delighted to be working with Purdue Pharma Canada to make Akynzeo available in Canada, subject to regulatory approval.
“Helsinn seeks to improve the lives of people with cancer everywhere, by making the highest quality products available where they are needed.
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By GlobalData“Akynzeo has been well received by a number of respected cancer organisations who have recommended its use as part of standard of care regimens for the treatment of CINV.”
Akynzeo has already been approved in the EU, Switzerland, the US, Israel, and Australia.
The antiemetic guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 26 cancer centres across the US, have recommended the use of Akynzeo, both in case of Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy (HEC) and Moderately Emetogenic Chemotherapy (MEC).
Purdue Pharma Canada president and CEO Dr Craig Landau said: “Subject to product approval by Health Canada, this agreement will enable us to provide Canadians with an important and novel treatment in oncology supportive care, which can mitigate the distressing side effects of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.”
The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has approved Akynzeo to be an additional therapy for patients being treated with HEC regimens, as it can reduce the feeling of nausea and vomiting in the acute as well as delayed phase of emesis.
Akynzeo is also included in the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) / European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Guidelines, for patients treated with HEC and carboplatin based chemotherapy.
