Novartis acquires rights to anti-clotting drug
Novartis, the Swiss pharma company, has acquired the worldwide rights to elinogrel, a Phase II anti-clotting compound with potential to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke.
Novartis, the Swiss pharma company, has acquired the worldwide rights to elinogrel, a Phase II anti-clotting compound with potential to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke.
Exclusive rights have been licensed from US-based Portola Pharmaceuticals, further strengthening Novartis" cardiovascular portfolio.
Elinogrel offers oral and intravenous formulations and could offer doctors a rapid way to reverse its anti-clotting action if needed.
Novartis takes responsibility for Phase III trials, manufacturing and commercialisation, while sharing the costs of Portola's ongoing Phase II trials.
Novartis will make a US$75m (Euro 58m) upfront payment, with Portola eligible for milestone payments and royalties on future sales.
"More than 13 million people die every year from complications related to blood clots, which underscores the ongoing and significant unmet need," said Trevor Mundel, global head of development at Novartis.
"Elinogrel is a novel compound with attributes that have the potential to offer clinical benefits over currently approved antiplatelet therapies. Elinogrel will further diversify our cardiovascular pipeline and we hope it will prove to be a strong addition to our portfolio."
Innovate-PCI, an 800-patient Phase IIb clinical trial, began in December 2008 involving the intravenous and oral forms of elinogrel to explore the compound's clinical efficacy, biological activity, tolerability and safety. This trial includes a broad group of patients undergoing non-urgent surgery to repair a damaged blood vessel or to unblock a coronary artery. The trial involves assessment of elinogrel's intravenous and oral formulations against clopidogrel (Plavix), considered the leading antiplatelet agent.
