Schwarz and Pfizer given go ahead for licensing deal

Scharz Pharma and Pfizer have been given the all-clear from the US Federal Trade Committee (FTC) to allow Pfizer an exclusive world-wide licence for Fesoterodine, an anti-muscarinic which has been trialled for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.

Following the expiration of a statutory waiting period, Pfizer will pay Schwarz an initial payment of $100 million (54.3 million pounds) with up to $110 million in further additional payments for the approval of the drug in the US and EU.

Fesoterodine was the subject of a patent dispute between the two companies, but they agreed to settle and enter into a licensing agreement instead.

Patrick Schwarz-Schuette remarked: “Fesoterodine, which has recently been filed with the US and European regulatory authorities, provides an exciting new treatment option offering significant benefits to patients suffering from overactive bladder.”

“Pfizer’s experience and commercial resources ensures that Fesoterodine will become broadly available to physicians and their patients,” he added.

Mr Schwarz-Schuette also said that the funds released by the licensing agreement would go towards strengthening his company’s product pipeline, which includes Lacosamide, an anti-convulsant in late-stage development.

In an earlier phase III trial of Fesoterodine, the drug demonstrated “statistically significant and clinically relevant” improvements in the symptoms of patients with overactive bladder syndrome, in comparison to the placebo.

According to health information website Patient UK, approximately one in six adults have some symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome, while one in three patients with the syndrome also experience urge incontinence.

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