Norgine takes exclusive worldwide INRA licence

Norgine has acquired a licence to a patent portfolio from the L’Institut National Recherche Agronomique (INRA), the firm has revealed.

The move will see Norgine gain exclusive access to the products and pay the INRA for any medicines the company develops from its portfolio.

Peter Stein, chief executive officer of Norgine, said that the new deal will allow the organisation to strengthen its pharmaceutical range and establish a solid relationship with a “leading French research institute”.

Philippe Lenee, managing director of Transfert at the INRA, added: “Norgine’s experience in pharmaceutical product development provides a great opportunity to launch products based on INRA’s innovative results.”

Norgine, which was established over 100 years ago, generated net revenue of 270.4 million euros (238 million pounds) in 2008 and employs over 1,000 individuals.

INRA, or the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, was founded in 2000. Its technology transfer arm, INRA Transfert, oversees the licensing of INRA’s research and development outcomes.