J&J, Depomed deal
Depomed will purchase U.S. rights to the Nucynta tapentadol analgesic franchise from Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. unit for $1.1 billion in cash. The deal includes Nucynta ER, an extended-release formulation of mu opioid receptor ( OPRM1; MOR) agonist and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor to treat severe acute pain and neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy; and Nucynta IR, an immediate-release MOR agonist and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor to treat severe acute pain; and an oral formulation of tapentadol that has yet to be launched. Depomed will assume undisclosed royalty payments to Gruenenthal Group (Aachen, Germany), the drugs’ originator. J&J retains rights to the program in Canada and Japan. ...