Eisai, Otsuka Pharmaceutical deal
Otsuka acquired from Eisai full rights to Dacogen decitabine in the U.S., Canada and Japan and now owns full worldwide rights to the cancer drug outside of Mexico, where Eisai retained rights. In 2008, Eisai gained worldwide rights to Dacogen through its acquisition of MGI Pharma Inc., which had rights from Astex under a 2004 deal. Otsuka subsequently acquired Astex in October (see BioCentury, Oct. 14, 2013).
Dacogen is approved in at least 36 countries for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), including the U.S., Brazil, China, India, Korea, Russia and Turkey. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ, New Brunswick, N.J.) has commercialization rights to the hypomethylating agent (HMA) outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Japan and will now pay Otsuka royalties. Eisai will continue to manufacture Dacogen as a contract manufacturer for Otsuka. ...