Galderma, Photocure deal

In exchange for full rights to Metvix 5-aminolevulinic acid and LED-based Aktilite CL128 and CL16 red light technology assets, Photocure will receive €44 million ($64.4 million) up front and is eligible for up to €7 million ($10.2 million) in regulatory milestones. Previously, Photocure marketed the topical photodynamic therapy based on aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in the Nordic region, and Galderma had rights elsewhere under a 2001 deal. Metvix is used in combination with Aktilite and is approved for Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis in the EU, and actinic keratosis in the U.S., where it is marketed as Metvixia. Galderma also gains Photocure's Nordic marketing and sales organization. At June 30, Photocure reported six-month sales of Metvix/Aktilite of NOK13.9 million ($2.2 million) (see BioCentury, Dec. 24, 2001). ...