Merck KGaA signs Japanese agreement for acamprosate

Published: 28-May-2003

Merck KgaA, of Germany, has entered into a marketing, distribution, trademark and supply agreement with Nippon Shinyaku Co., of Kyoto, Japan, for the Japanese rights to acamprosate (Campral) in the treatment of alcohol dependence.


Merck KgaA, of Germany, has entered into a marketing, distribution, trademark and supply agreement with Nippon Shinyaku Co., of Kyoto, Japan, for the Japanese rights to acamprosate (Campral) in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

The agreement covers the development, marketing and promotion of acamprosate in Japan by Nippon Shinyaku, and includes milestone payments at key development stages as well as royalties on future sales by Nippon Shinyaku, along with an exclusive supply of acamprosate by Merck.

Acamprosate has been approved in most major European markets for several years and is commercialised under the brand names Campral and Aotal. In addition, acamprosate is currently under registration in the US, and Merck will file an amendment to the New Drug Application with the US FDA later this year.

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