Helsinn gains exclusive rights to commercialize Pharmacosmos' Monofer in the USA

Swiss oncology specialist Helsinn and Danish anemia drugmaker Pharmacosmos have entered into an agreement to exclusively commercialize Monofer (iron isomaltoside 1000) in the USA.

Monofer is an intravenous iron replacement therapy under development for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Helsinn has now obtained exclusive rights to commercialize Monofer and any subsequent iron isomaltoside 1000 products developed by Pharmacosmos in the USA. Pharmacosmos is eligible for milestone payments of up to $130 million, and will be eligible for further payments for the manufacture and supply to Helsinn in the USA.

Helsinn’s chief executive, Riccardo Braglia, said: “Helsinn is committed to improving the lives of patients by offering medicines which enable them to get the most out of every day, optimizing their quality of life and promoting their ability to remain on treatment regimens. Monofer provides a high dose iron replacement in a single administration, which may offer anemic patients a new, more convenient treatment option for rapidly restoring their iron stores and thereby, improve their symptom burden. We look forward to collaborating with Pharmacosmos and bringing Monofer to the US market.”