Hospira in-licenses omacetaxine mepesuccinate

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (ASX:CXS) granted Hospira Inc. (NYSE:HSP) exclusive rights in Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa to develop and commercialize ChemGenex's omacetaxine mepesuccinate. The natural alkaloid that targets the ribosome to inhibit synthesis of oncoproteins is under review in the U.S. and Europe to treat Gleevec-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in patients who have the BCR- ABL T315I mutation.

ChemGenex will receive EUR 11.1 million ($16.3 million) up front and up to EUR 74.1 million ($108.7 million) in milestones, plus royalties, for CML. ChemGenex is eligible for additional milestones and royalties for the compound in other indications, such as acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). ...