Elan and Solvay ‘will benefit from AstraZeneca and Abbott deal’

The new deal announced today between Abbott and AstraZeneca will have knock-on benefits for two other pharmaceutical companies – Solvay and Elan.

AstraZeneca and Abbott declared that they are to join forces to develop a new single pill combination product featuring two lipid-regulating agents for the treatment of patients with high cholesterol.

Solvay is expected to benefit from this enterprise, since the new product will either feature its TriCor fenofibrate or a next-generation product developed by Abbott and Solvay.

The fenofibriate used will be combined with AstraZeneca’s rosuvastatin, Crestor, in a deal which is expected to increase Solvay’s fenofibrate franchise, which is already approaching $1 billion in value.

Meanwhile, Elan claims it will also benefit the AstraZeneca and Abbott deal, since development of the new lipid management product will require use its NanoCrystal Technology.

The newly-signed licence agreement states that Elan will be paid for each successful stage of product development, ranging from initial stages to US sales of the drug if approved.

Paul V Breen, executive vice president and head of Elan Drug Technologies, commented: “We are very pleased to execute this agreement, which follows on from the successful application of our NanoCrystal Technology in the current TriCor 145 product.

“We hope applying this technology will result in the successful development and launch of a combination product that will benefit patients.”

NanoCrystal technology, as specialised in by Elan, is a proven method of enhancing solubility of compounds poorly water-soluble. Manufacturers claim the technology enhances drug commercial opportunities and can be included in standard dosage forms ranging from tablets and capsules to inhalers.

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