UCB extends German cardio/diabetes deal with Novartis

Belgium's UCB and Swiss drug major Novartis have entered into a licensing agreement for cardiovascular and diabetes products in Germany.

Under the agreement, of which financial terms were not disclosed, UCB has extended commercial rights for the German market to the cardiovascular medication Provas (valsartan) beyond 2011 and has licensed in commercial rights for two line extensions: Dafiro (valsartan and amlodipine) and Dafiro HCT (valsartan, amlodipine and HCT). Dafiro HCT is the first drug for the treatment of hypertension with a combination of three compounds in about 20 years, the companies note. In addition, UCB will co-commercialize the two new oral anti-diabetics Jalra and Icandra (vildagliptin and vildagliptin plus metformin, respectively).

"With this agreement we are building on our strengths in Germany, our excellent position in the Internal Medicine segment," said Willy Cnops, vice president UCB and managing director of the firm in Germany. "We are extending our cardiovascular and metabolic product portfolio with the most attractive and innovative treatment options to date in line with UCB's ambitions to offer the best medicines to our patients,' he added.