SOBI links with Savient for co-promotion of Kineret in USA

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (STO: SOBI) says it has entered into an agreement with USA-based Savient Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SVNT) for the co-promotion of Kineret (anakinra) in the USA. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The drug, discovered and developed by Amgen and in 2008 licensed to SOBI, was first cleared in the USA in 2001 for rheumatoid arthritis. Kineret is also indicated in the USA for the treatment of children and adults with the severe form of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) called Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID; The Pharma Letter January 8).

"Savient's organization will enhance our support for Kineret in the United States," said Alan Raffensperger, chief operating officer of SOBI, adding: "The collaboration will expand our reach to US physicians who treat patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and augment our own ability to directly support the pediatric community. Kineret is an important treatment for these patient groups".