Acino links with Sawai for generic cancer drug development and distribution in Japan

Switzerland’s Acino Pharma AG (SIX: ACIN) and Sawai Pharmaceutical, based in Japan, have signed an exclusive license agreement for one of Acino’s key oncology products, which was not identified.

Under the deal, Sawai will develop and distribute Acino’s product, challenging a $320 million originator product in the Japanese market. Acino will be manufacturing the product at its site in Miesbach, Germany, and will supply the product from there.

”We are excited to enter into this strategic important collaboration with Sawai, as the company is a top player in the Japanese generics market, and through this cooperation, start building a long-term relationship. The alliance between Sawai and Acino will enhance both companies’ mid-term growth opportunities. We are delighted to have entered a new stage in Acino’s geographical expansion efforts by tapping into Japan, one of the most exciting growth markets in the generic world,” said Peter Burema, chief executive of the Acino group.