Lexicon Pharmaceuticals has entered a licensing agreement with Viatris, granting the latter exclusive rights to commercialise sotagliflozin in all indications outside the US and Europe.

The strategic partnership is set to capitalise on Viatris' extensive global reach and expertise in the cardiovascular sector.

Viatris will make an upfront payment of $25m to Lexicon.

The deal also includes potential regulatory and sales milestone payments to Lexicon, along with tiered royalties on annual net sales ranging from low-double-digit to upper-teens.

Lexicon will retain commercialisation rights within the US and European markets while Viatris will utilise its Global Healthcare Gateway to facilitate access to sotagliflozin in other markets, ensuring a broader patient reach.

Lexicon CEO and director Dr Mike Exton stated: "We are pleased to be working with Viatris, a company with strong cardiometabolic expertise, global commercial capabilities and a successful track record of launching medicines in new territories. We are confident that this agreement will expand the reach of sotagliflozin to more patients in need.

“We plan to continue to evaluate strategic partnerships for additional assets, territories and indications to augment Lexicon's development and commercial capabilities, advance our pipeline and expand access to our medicines to more patients around the world." 

Sotagliflozin, known by the brand name INPEFA, is a dual inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter types 2 and 1.

Lexicon will supply the medication to Viatris for both clinical and commercial purposes at an agreed transfer price.

The medicine received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in May 2023. It is indicated for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalisation due to heart failure and other cardiovascular-associated diseases.