Novartis, Amgen expand agreement to commercialize migrane drug

Pharma ginats Novartis and Amgen have expanded their global commercialization agreement for  AMG 334 (erenumab), which is being investigated for the prevention of migraine. The companies had inked a deal in 2015 for commercialization of the drug, involving joint development and commercialisation of pioneering treatments in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and migraine.

Novartis will retain exclusive rights to commercialise the drug in rest of world and will gain commercialisation rights in Canada. Amgen retains exclusive commercialisation rights in Japan. The companies will continue global co-development.

Mr Paul Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement, "Migraine is a debilitating neurological disease associated with significant personal, economic, and societal burden. There is an urgent need for effective and well-tolerated preventive treatments that positively impact the lives of people with migraine."

"We are excited to expand our collaboration with Amgen. We look forward to combining capabilities and leveraging our strong heritage in neuroscience in the US and Canada to bring erenumab to more patients in need, as fast as we can."

 As per the terms of the agreement, Amgen will receive milestone payments from Novartis, expected to begin in 2017. Novartis will share US commercialisation costs with Amgen.

Amgen will sell AMG 334 (erenumab) in the US, and will pay a royalty to Novartis on net sales in the US. Novartis sell in rest of the world, excluding Japan, and will pay Amgen royalties on the net sales in those countries. Apart from this, Amgen will also sell the drug in Japan, since it will remain an exclusive territory for the company.

AMG 334 (erenumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody specifically designed for the prevention of migraine. It targets and blocks the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) receptor, believed to play a critical role in mediating the incapacitating pain of migraine.

Positive results from a Phase II study and two Phase III studies of AMG 334 (erenumab) in migraine prevention were announced in 2016.