Merck in licensing deal with Japan Tobacco
26 Sep 2008
Merck has signed a licensing agreement with Japan Tobacco (JT) to develop and commercialise a bone growth-stimulating agent.
The drugs giant gains worldwide rights - except for Japan - to develop and commercialise JTT-305, which is an oral osteoanabolic for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Under the agreement, JT receives an upfront payment and will be paid additional funds dependent on certain milestones being reached and on sales levels.
Noriaki Okubo, president of JT's pharmaceutical business, said: "Through this agreement with Merck, JT is well-positioned to maximise the therapeutic potential for JTT-305 as a possible future option for patients with osteoporosis."
Alan Ezekowitz, senior vice-president and franchise head of bone, respiratory, immunology, and endocrine at Merck Research Laboratories, commented that the agent "complements Merck's portfolio of musculoskeletal drug candidates".
Earlier this month, Merck said data from a phase-two study of its investigational osteoporosis medicine odanacatib demonstrated dose-dependent increases in bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.
