Allergan acquires rights to Constella in Europe and other regions

Allergan has announced the acquisition of the rights to Constella from Almirall in certain territories, thereby expanding its gastrointestinal therapy portfolio.

The company has been granted an exclusive license for the linaclotide therapy, developed by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, in the EU, Switzerland, Turkey and the Commonwealth of Independent States, while also reacquiring rights to Linzess in Mexico.

Constella is currently approved in Europe for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults. It has been available for sale since 2012.

The licence agreement includes the development and commercialisation of Constella for the treatment of IBS-C, chronic idiopathic constipation and other gastrointestinal conditions.

Paul Navarre, executive vice-president and president of international brands at Allergan, said: "The acquisition of rights for Constella in these international markets is the next step towards our goal of becoming an even stronger partner for physicians globally seeking innovative therapies for their patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders."

This comes after the firm completed its acquisition of Kythera earlier this month, thereby adding the new product Kybella to its portfolio.