Merck, Nycomed sales and marketing update

Nycomed granted Merck rights to co-promote Daxas roflumilast in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Canada. Merck also received exclusive commercialization rights in the U.K., where Nycomed retains a co-promotion option. Nycomed will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible for milestones.

Last month, the CHMP issued a positive opinion on an MAA from Nycomed for Daxas for maintenance treatment of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor also is under review in Canada and the U.S., where it has a mid-May PDUFA date. The CHMP is part of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) (see BioCentury, April 26). ...