Ipsen and Spirogen revise deal for SJG-136 (now SG2000)

French drugmaker Ipsen and the UK's Spirogen have entered into a new agreement superseding their 2003 contractual relationship regarding the DNA minor groove binder SJG-136 (now known as SG2000). The new agreement between the parties will allow Spirogen to continue and lead the clinical development of this first-in-class anticancer agent.

SJG-136 is planned to shortly continue clinical development in upcoming National Cancer Institute-sponsored multi-centered Phase II clinical trials in ovarian cancer and haematological malignancies.

Under the new agreement Spirogen is granted an exclusive worldwide license to certain Ipsen intellectual property rights covering pyrrolobenzodiazepines in combination with cytotoxic agents. Spirogen obtains full responsibility for the design and execution of the global clinical development and commercialization of SJG-136 as a single agent or in combination. In the event of commercialization of SJG-136, Ipsen will be eligible to royalties and commercial milestones, in addition to remaining a significant minority shareholder in Spirogen, including membership on the board of directors of the latter.