Valeant gains North American rights for NER1006 for colon cleansing before colonoscopy

Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (TSX: VRX) has obtained the North American rights to develop and commercialize NER1006 powder for oral solution, a new low-volume (1L) polyethylene glycol-based bowel preparation for cleansing of the colon in preparation of colonoscopy.

Valeant has bought the rights from Netherlands-headquartered independent drugmaker Norgine in an undisclosed deal. It follows on from the agreement between Norgine and Valeant’s subsidiary Salix for MoviPrep (2L polyethylene glycol + ascorbate), which similarly is for bowel cleansing prior to any clinical procedures requiring a clean bowel.

NER1006 has been developed to provide whole bowel cleansing, with an additional focus on the ascending colon, and not only with the aim of supporting improved patient acceptability and compliance but also to contribute to effectiveness of colonoscopy procedures at detecting colon cancer and for optimised bowel surveillance, through effective bowel cleansing.