Servier gains ex-US/Japan rights to Intarcia diabetes product ITCA 650

USA-based biotech firm Intarcia Therapeutics has started a strategic partnership with French independent drugmaker Servier outside the USA and Japan, to develop and commercialize ITCA 650 (exenatide), Intarcia's Phase III investigational therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

If successful in its remaining Phase III trials, ITCA 650 would become the world's first and only injection-free GLP-1 agonist given just once or twice yearly in a small, matchstick sized mini-pump placed sub-dermally. A qualified physician, nurse or physician's assistant can place ITCA 650 in a simple five-minute procedure in a doctor's office.

Exenatide is the active ingredient of AstraZeneca’s type 2 diabetes brands Byetta, sales of which grew 64% to $92 billion in the third quarter of 2014, and Bydureon (exenatide extended release), revenues from which increased 191% to $125 million.