Daiichi Sankyo to market neuraminidase inhibitor in Japan

Published: 3-Apr-2009

Australian firm Biota Holdings has announced that Daiichi Sankyo, the co-owner of the neuraminidase inhibitor (LANI) CS-8958, is to manufacture and market the product in Japan, pending the successful completion of Phase III clinical studies and on obtaining registration approval.


Australian firm Biota Holdings has announced that Daiichi Sankyo, the co-owner of the neuraminidase inhibitor (LANI) CS-8958, is to manufacture and market the product in Japan, pending the successful completion of Phase III clinical studies and on obtaining registration approval.

Biota, as one of the owners, will receive royalties on sales and a number of fixed sum payments on reaching sales milestones in the Japanese market.

All other key markets for CS-8958 in the world, including the US, remain available for licensing by the partners. Biota and Daiichi Sankyo will share commercial returns from licensing outside Japan.

In 2003, Biota and Daiichi Sankyo merged their respective LANI programs and Daiichi Sankyo retained the option to manufacture and market CS-8958 in Japan in return for funding the Japanese trials. Daiichi Sankyo discovered the molecule CS-8958.

Patient enrolment of the key Phase III studies in Asia have now been completed and results will be released in June.

"I would like to congratulate our partners Daiichi Sankyo for their sustained commitment to the development of CS-8958. The compound will complement the world's anti-influenza drug arsenal and will address the recognised need for additional antivirals," said Peter Cook, Biota's managing director.

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