Milestone for Glenmark
Glenmark’s out-licensing deal with the German pharma major, Merck KGaA, for its diabetes molecule, a DPP-IV inhibitor, is an important milestone for Glenmark’s research activity.
By Noemie Bisserbe & Ravi Parwan, TNN |
Glenmark’s out-licensing deal with the German pharma major, Merck KGaA, for its diabetes molecule, a DPP-IV inhibitor, is an important milestone for Glenmark’s research activity. This is the third out-licensing deal concluded by Glenmark in the past two years, after tying up with Forest Labs and Beijin Pharma for its asthma molecule.
The stakes are high, total payments by Merck could add up to Rs 1,078 crore, including the upfront payment of Rs 140 crore. This is roughly equal to what Glenmark will receive from Forest Labs and Beijin Pharma for the marketing rights for US, Europe and Japan, for its asthma molecule, if it reaches market.
Glenmark will find it difficult to differentiate its molecule, as several DPP-IV inhibitors (a drug that stimulates secretion of higher levels of insulin) are in development, or under review for the US market. US pharma major Merck & Co recently received approval for Januvia, the first DPP-4 inhibitor in the market for treating type 2 diabetes.
Novartis is working on a similar molecule, Galiant, currently under advanced stage of clinical trials in the US.
Irrespective of whether Glenmark’s diabetes drug makes it to market, this deal lends new credibility to its research efforts.
Merck KGaA ranks among the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, and is the leader in the diabetes segment. Going forward, this deal could open up doors for Glenmark to tie up with other big pharma companies to develop its research pipeline, until one of its molecules finally makes it to the market.
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