Nektar gets payday as AZ launches Movantik in U.S.

AstraZeneca plc (LSE:AZN; NYSE:AZN) launched Movantik naloxegol in the U.S. on Tuesday to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for once-daily Movantik is $8.32 per pill.

The launch triggers a $100 million milestone payment to Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) from AZ under a 2009 deal. Movantik was developed using Nektar's oral small molecule polymer conjugate technology. ...