Bayer HealthCare and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical collaborate on antithrombosis drug

Bayer HealthCare (BHC) and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, a Johnson & Johnson company, are to jointly develop and market BAY 59-7939 (Factor Xa inhibitor) for prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

BAY 59-7939 is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials with Phase III clinical trials to assess its effectiveness in the prevention of venous thromboembolism due to be initiated in the next few weeks.

Under the terms of the deal, Ortho-McNeil will share the global development costs and will make an up front payment along with payments based on achieving certain development milestones. Following the launch in the US Ortho-McNeil will pay royalties of up to 30%, depending on sales thresholds.

Ortho-McNeil will receive exclusive US marketing rights for the cardiology, primary care and hospital specialty markets. BHC retains an option to co-promote Bay 59-7939 in the hospital and specialty markets through its Specialty Pharmaceutical unit. BHC will also retain sole marketing rights for the compound in countries outside the US.

BAY 59-7939 is an oral ihibitor of Factor Xa, a molecule that plays a central role in the blood coagulation cascade. By inhibiting free Factor Xa and prothrombinase activity BAY 59-7939 prevents thrombin generation in the coagulation pathway.