Sobi inks new distribution agreement for Ammonul

Nordic biotech firm Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (STO: SOBI) says it has entered into a three-year agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals Ireland, a unit of Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (TSX: VRX) for the distribution of Ammonul (sodium phenyl acetate and sodium benzoate) injection in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

The new agreement replaces the current distribution agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America for the same territory. Under the new agreement, Sobi will have exclusive rights and license for sales and distribution of Ammonul in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa until December 31, 2019 for named patient use (NPU) programs.

“We are very pleased to extend our long-term partnership with Valeant to continue to provide access to Ammonul in the territory,” says Alan Raffensperger, chief operating officer at Sobi, adding: “This agreement complements Sobi’s portfolio within the area of Urea Cycle Disorders and creates a wider range of treatment alternatives for patients suffering from these rare conditions”.