Helsinn out-licenses netupitant-palonosetron fixed dose combo in South Korea

Privately-held Swiss company Helsinn Group says it has signed a license agreement with CJ CheilJedang of South Korea for Helsinn's new product for potential use in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

The agreement covers the exclusive license and distribution rights for a combination antiemetic agent (in both oral and intravenous forms) containing netupitant, a neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, and palonosetron, a serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist in Korea. With the agreement CheilJedang and Helsinn have expanded their business partnership in cancer supportive care. In fact, palonosetron had already previously been licensed from Helsinn for the Korean market.

The fixed dose combination of netupitant and palonosetron is an innovative drug combining two different compounds in one fixed dose capsule enhancing patient compliance. It is currently in Phase III clinical development in the US for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting following both highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.