Ligand expands license deal with CURx for Captisol-enabled lamotrigine

US-based pharma company Ligand Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: LGND) has expanded its global license agreement with chronic disease specialist CURx Pharmaceuticals to include the development and commercialization of Ligand’s Captisol-enabled lamotrigine program, a drug for hospital-based seizures.

The expanded license will mean Ligand is eligible to receive $22 million in potential milestone payments, revenue from the sales of Captisol and tired royalties on future net sales of around 4%-7% for Captisol-enabled lamotrigine. CURx will be responsible for all costs related to the program. Lamotrigine is the active ingredient of GlaxoSmithKline's anti-epileptic drug Lamictal.

John Higgins, president and chief executive of Ligand, said: “This is Ligand’s second program licensed to CURx and is another example of the importance of our Captisol formulation technology to enable new and highly differentiated programs. We are pleased that our relationship with CURx has expanded with the licensing of Captisol-enabled lamotrigine, a product candidate targeting hospital-based seizures. Captisol-enabled lamotrigine adds to our growing pipeline of over 100 partnerships.”