Merck & Co gets North American and Mexican rights to vernakalant iv from Astellas
US drug giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) has entered into an agreement with Japan’s Astellas Pharma (TOY: 4503) to acquire the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the investigational intravenous formulation of vernakalant in Canada, Mexico and the USA from Astellas.
Merck bought rights outside these territories to Vernakalant iv, which is currently approved in more than 10 European countries for rapid conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm, from Canadian firm Cardiome for up to $600 million more than two years ago (The Pharma Letter April 9, 2009).
"Atrial fibrillation represents a large and growing unmet medical need," said Michael Mendelsohn, senior vice president, franchise head, cardiovascular and atherosclerosis research at Merck. "With this agreement, Merck has secured worldwide rights to vernakalant iv. This is an important step as we seek to expand access for patients in need," he added.
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