Karyopharm inks commercialization deal for Nexpovio with Menarini

US cancer-focussed firm Karyopharm Therapeutics (Nasdaq: KPTI) has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement whereby privately-held Italian drugmaker Menarini will commercialize Nexpovio (selinexor), Karyopharm’s first-in-class, oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) compound, in Europe and other key global territories.

Under the terms of the agreement, Menarini received exclusive rights to commercialize Nexpovio for the treatment of oncology indications in the European Union and other European countries (including the UK), Latin America and other key countries. In exchange, Karyopharm will receive an upfront payment of $75 million in 2021 and is eligible to receive up to an additional $202.5 million in future milestones, plus tiered double-digit royalties on net sales of Nexpovio in the licensed territories.

“Menarini is a global pharmaceutical company, with a strong heritage and footprint in Europe and an unwavering commitment to patients, that is dedicated to innovation and bringing new treatment options in oncology.  Menarini is an ideal partner to maximize selinexor’s potential to have a positive impact on the treatment of cancer in Europe, Latin America and other key countries and this transaction marks an important step forward toward that goal,” said Richard Paulson, president and chief executive of Karyopharm. “With a shared vision on the potential of selinexor and Menarini’s commercialization expertise, this agreement aligns our two companies with the common goal of expanding the number of patients who can access Nexpovio in these important global territories,” he noted.