Amgen, Servier in cardiovascular deal

Servier (Neuilly-sur-Seine, France) granted Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) U.S. commercialization rights to Servier's cardiovascular drug Procoralan ivabradine. The selective and specific If channel inhibitor is already marketed in 100 countries, excluding the U.S., to treat stable angina, and in the EU to treat chronic heart failure (CHF). Servier will receive $50 million up front and is eligible for undisclosed milestones, plus royalties. Amgen said it believes the current data package for ivabradine could support the indications in the U.S. and said it will discuss potential submissions with FDA.

Additionally, Servier granted Amgen an exclusive option to develop and commercialize Servier's S38844 in the U.S., and Amgen granted Servier an option to license European commercialization rights to omecamtiv mecarbil. Both compounds are in Phase II testing to treat heart failure. S38844 is a small molecule If channel inhibitor. Amgen has exclusive worldwide rights to omecamtiv mecarbil, a small molecule cardiac myosin activator, from Cytokinetics Inc. (NASDAQ:CYTK). The options are exercisable through the completion of undisclosed Phase II trials. The companies declined to disclose financial details. ...