Norgine buys rights to obesity product

Norgine announced this week that it has acquired the global rights to cetilistat, a treatment for obesity, from fellow pharmaceutical firm Alizyme Therapeutics.

The agreement includes an assignment of the existing partnering arrangement with Takeda for a cash payment and a share of certain future revenues.

Chief executive of Norgine Peter Stein stated that the firm is “delighted” to have incorporated the drug into its product portfolio.

He added: “We also look forward to working with our new partner Takeda and continuing the productive relationship they had previously with Alizyme.”

Norgine, which employs more than 1,000 people, was established over 100 years ago and operates across all major European markets.

Last week, it announced the appointment of Lance Richard as its new global market access manager within its marketing department.

Mr Richard started his career in the sector as a clinical pharmacist in South Africa.