Santhera, Biovitrum DPP IV deal

Santhera (Liestal, Switzerland) granted Biovitrum (Stockholm, Sweden) an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize compounds from Santhera's dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor program to treat metabolic diseases, including Type II diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Santhera will receive EUR 4 million ($5 million) up front, and the companies will share revenues according to an undisclosed percentage split. The companies said revenues could include milestones and royalties from sublicensees, and that Santhera could receive more than EUR 50 million ($62.2 million) in milestones. The companies expect to select the first candidate this fall and to start Phase I trials in 2006. ...