Kissei and Maruishi ink deal on MR13A9

Japanese drugmakers Kissei Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4547) and Maruishi Pharmaceutical have entered into a collaboration agreement for the development and sales/marketing of the kappa opioid receptor agonist MR13A9 for the treatment of uremic pruritus in dialysis patients. Presently, Maruishi is developing this drug in Japan.

This drug is a kappa opioid receptor agonist created by USA-based Cara Therapeutics and is the first intravenous injection formulation in the world for the treatment of uremic pruritus in dialysis patients. Maruishi in-licensed this drug from Cara Therapeutics in April 2013. Currently, Maruishi is conducting a Phase II clinical study in Japan. This drug is expected to make a great contribution to the improvement of the convenience of patients and their drug compliance.

Under this agreement, Kissei and Maruishi will collaborate for the development and sales/marketing of this drug in Japan for the above-mentioned indication. Both companies will jointly bear the expenses for the development of this drug, and after Maruishi has obtained the New Drug Approval, Kissei will sell and market this drug.