Ewopharma to commercialize Eisai drugs in Central Eastern Europe

Privately-held Swiss drugmaker Ewopharma revealed yesterday that, as of April 1 this year, it has acquired the rights to commercialize several of Japanese pharma major Eisai's (TYO: 4523) products in 11 countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Ewopharma will commercialize cancer drug Halaven (eribulin mesylate) in nine countries within the European Union (Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovenia) and in two countries outside of the EU (Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia). Ewopharma will also commercialize Targretin (bexarotene), also for cancer, in Hungary and Poland as well as epilepsy drug Zonegran (zonisamide) in Hungary.

Ewopharma will be responsible for all aspects of pricing, reimbursement, marketing and distribution, while Eisai will supply product and also provide significant product training and support across the relevant brands.