Helsinn inks deal for Akynzeo distribution in Canada with Purdue

Privately-held Swiss drugmaker Helsinn has signed an exclusive agreement with Purdue Pharma Canada for the distribution and licensing of Akynzeo (netupitant-palonosetron), developed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Under the terms of the agreement, Helsinn retains clinical development activities and the manufacturing and supply of Akynzeo. Purdue Pharma Canada will have exclusive rights to registration, marketing, promotion, distribution and sales of Akynzeo in Canada. Akynzeo is already approved in the USA, the European Union, Switzerland, Israel and Australia.

Akynzeo has been recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) antiemetic guidelines, both in Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy (HEC) and Moderately Emetogenic Chemotherapy (MEC). The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) validated Akynzeo as an additional therapy that will facilitate the application of standard of care for patients receiving HEC regimens by preventing nausea and vomiting in both the acute and delayed phases of emesis. In addition, Akynzeo is included in the MASCC/ESMO Guidelines for patients receiving HEC and carboplatin based chemotherapy.