Pharming extends Ruconest deal with SOBI

Netherlands-based biotech firm Pharming Group NV (Euronext: PHARM) has extended its existing agreement with Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (STO: SOBI) to include new territories in the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East for the commercialization of Ruconest (recombinant human C1 inhibitor) for the treatment of acute angioedema attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

In addition, SOBI has placed a significant additional order for vials of Ruconest. The shipment forms part of SOBI’s preparation for the continued roll-out and intensified marketing of Ruconest across Europe, where it already has rights to market the product, which uses the trade name Rhucin outside Europe. SOBI will over a period of one year pay 1.5 million euros ($2.1 million) to Pharming for these additional shipments under this order. Under the terms of the distribution partnership, SOBI buys finished product from Pharming for a transfer price that includes a sales related tiered royalty component.

Rhucin has yet to be approved in the USA, where it is licensed to Santarus under a deal that also includes Canada and Mexico (The Pharma Letter September 14, 2010). However, the drug has received orphan designation from the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE.