Anacor amends Kerydin deal with Sandoz

USA-based Anacor Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ANAC) has amended its distribution and commercialization agreement with Sandoz, a subsidiary of Swiss pharma giant Novartis (NOVN: VX), under which PharmaDerm, the branded dermatology division of Sandoz, distributes and commercializes Kerydin (tavaborole) topical solution, 5%, in the USA.

Under the amendment, Sandoz will increase its commercial investment in Kerydin in 2015, and Anacor will contribute $20 million to Sandoz, primarily focused on consumer-directed commercialization activities. The parties’ increased investment in support of Kerydin in 2015 includes Sandoz’s previously expanded field-sales force and a new multi-channel integrated marketing campaign. The original accord between the two companies was signed nearly a year ago (The Pharma Letter July 22, 2014).

Kerydin, which month gained US Food and Drug Administration approval last June, is the first oxaborole antifungal cleared for the topical treatment of onychomycosis of the toenails, a fungal infection of the nail and nail bed that affects approximately 35 million people in the USA.