MonoSol Rx and Strativa Pharmaceuticals extend agreement

Strativa Pharmaceuticals has extended its agreement with MonoSol Rx to develop three additional oral soluble film (OSF) products using MonoSol Rx's PharmFilm technology.

The new agreement is an extension of a deal signed by the two companies in June 2008 when Strativa acquired exclusive US commercialisation rights to MonoSol Rx's ondansetron OSF, a treatment used in the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy, which will be marketed under the trade name Zuplenz. The new drug application (NDA) for Zuplenz was accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2009, and a response is expected in the first quarter of 2010.

"We welcome the opportunity to expand our relationship for the potential development and commercialisation of three additional OSF products that leverage the MonoSol Rx PharmFilm technology," said Mark Schobel, president and chief executive of MonoSol Rx.

"The Strativa team has been a valuable partner for us and recognises that drug delivery via film may offer numerous benefits."

Terms of the new agreement provide the option to license and develop three additional OSF products under a similar structure to the companies' ondansetron OSF agreement, which entitles MonoSol Rx to pre-commercialisation and sales-based milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales.

Keith Kendall, executive vice president and cfo of MonoSol Rx, said the new agreement was a direct endorsement that MonoSol Rx has the capabilities and technology necessary to address the needs of the pharmaceutical industry.