Basilea and Astellas have signed a co-promotion agreement for Basilea’s azole antifungal agent isavuconazole, currently in phase III development for the treatment of invasive fungal infections.
Under the terms of the agreement, Basilea will receive an upfront payment of CHF 75 million and will be eligible to receive up to CHF 478 million in additional payments on achievement of pre-specified development and sales milestones.
In return, Astellas has gained the right to commercialise isavuconazole, though Basilea will retain an option to co-promote the product in the US, Canada, major European countries and China.
Dr Anthony Man, CEO, Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd, said: “Astellas has a successful track record in developing and commercialising antifungals in the hospital sector internationally. We look forward to working together with Astellas to achieve isavuconazole’s full potential as a novel therapeutic option for treating serious and life-threatening fungal infections.”
Astellas will lead the clinical development program investigating isavuconazole for the treatment of invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus or other filamentous fungi (mould infections) and Candida fungi (yeast infections).
Masafumi Nogimori, President and CEO, Astellas, commented: “Astellas already has experience in the development and marketing of the echinocandin antifungal agent Mycamine (micafungin) worldwide and is committed to focusing on infectious diseases. This partnership is an important step to further expand our business and to reinforce our franchise in infectious diseases.”