Abbott and Neurocrine to ally on endometriosis treatment

Abbott is to enter into collaboration with neurological and endocrine disease specialist Neurocrine Biosciences in order to create a new treatment for endometriosis-related pain.

The alliance will see Abbott gain exclusive global rights to develop and market elagolix, an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist which has recently completed phase IIb clinical testing.

Should the treatment meet developmental and commercial milestones, Neurocrine will receive up to $500 million (336 million pounds) from Abbott, with the latter company also funding all research activities.

Dr John Leonard, senior vice-president for pharmaceuticals, research and development at Abbott, stated that the deal will allow the firm to enhance its late stage drug development pipeline.

He added: “Extensive preclinical and clinical experience with elagolix suggests this drug could be an important advance for women with endometriosis and uterine fibroids, highly prevalent conditions where there is a need for new treatments.”

Last month, Abbott was included on the Best Workplaces in Europe rankings compiled by the Great Place to Work Institute Europe, thanks to the opportunities and training it offers to its staff.