GlaxoSmithKline in $100m PAH deal with Myogen

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is to help shoulder the costs of developing and marketing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) drug ambrisentan, Myogen has announced.

According to the deal, GSK will take responsibility for dealing with regulators and commercialising ambrisentan outside of the United States. It will pay Myogen $20 million (?11.5 million) up front and follow with milestone payments of $80 million (?50 million), as well as royalties.

Ambrisentan, a selective endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA), is still in phase III development. Myogen will retain responsibility for clinical development and US marketing.

“Myogen’s innovative approach to collaboration on ambrisentan has provided both companies with a potentially rewarding opportunity by giving GlaxoSmithKline access to a product candidate in an indication we know very well,” said Andrew Witty of GSK.

“At the same time, Myogen will be able to establish a commercial presence in the PAH market in the United States.”

The two companies also entered into a distribution deal for GSK’s PAH treatment Flolan. The agreement will allow Myogen to market the drug in the United States for a minimum of three years. It said a sales team will be established for the treatment by the second quarter of 2006.

© Adfero Ltd