UCB sells German Lercanipidine rights back to Recordati

UCB has announced that it has sold the rights to sell in Germany the anti-hypertensive drug Corifeo (Lercanipidine), to Recordati for 10 million euros (?6.94 million).

Lercanipidine, a calcium channel blocker, already accounts for approximately a quarter of Recordati’s sales, either directly or in the form of licensed sales. In 2000 UCB agreed a licensing deal with Recordati to sell Lercanipidine in Germany as Corifeo.

However, according to UCB the reason for the sale back to Recordati is that the drug is no longer fits in its long-term drug profile. Bill Robinson, UCB’s executive vice president of global operations, said: “This transaction is another step taken by UCB in its strategy to focus on innovation for specialists particularly in the fields of the central nervous system, inflammation (including allergy) and oncology.?

Last month UCB announced its results for 2005 where it reported a 24 per cent increase in revenue, thanks in part to increased sales of Keppra, which it claims to be “the standard treatment for epilepsy”. It also has allergy and Crohn’s disease drugs in the pipeline.

Recordati is listed on the Italian stock exchange and it manufactures a variety of proprietary and licensed products. Its consolidated income for 2005 was 576 million euros.

© Adfero Ltd