Teijin and Astellas expand collaboration on gout drug febuxostat

Japanese drugmakers Teijin Pharma (TYO: 3401 and Astellas Pharma (TKO:4503) have entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for febuxostat (development code: TMX-67), a novel drug for the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia, in Southeast Asia and India. Financial terms of the deal were not revealed.

Under the accord, Astellas will have exclusive rights to sell the product in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and India. Astellas will apply for marketing approval in each of these countries, with the goal of beginning sales by 2015. Astellas already has its own sales affiliates in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and India and in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam provides its own products through partners. Astellas expects to further expand the business in Asian territories by in-licensing febuxostat.

This new agreement adds to the existing licensing deals between Teijin and Astellas covering Taiwan, China and Hong Kong through its subsidiaries (The Pharma Letter May 14, 2009). Astellas Pharma Taiwan has already obtained marketing approval, while Astellas Pharma China, and Astellas Pharma Hong Kong are currently in the process of development and registration in their respective markets.