Valeant acquires nabilone rights from Cambridge Laboratories

Valeant Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has acquired the commercial rights to nabilone, a nausea treatment for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Under the terms of the agreement, Valeant will pay Cambridge Laboratories $14 million (7.2 million pounds) for the rights to the compound in the UK and other European markets.

Nabilone, marketed by Valeant in the US and Canada as Cesamet, is indicated for use by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who have not exhibited an adequate response to standard therapy with anti-emetics.

The compound, a synthetic cannibiniod thought to interact with the CB1 receptor and act as an omnineuromodulator, is the only licensed cannabinoid in the UK.

Timothy C Tyson, president and chief executive officer of Valeant, said: “There remains a need for cannabinoids like Cesamet for patients who have exhausted conventional treatments and whose quality of life continues to be adversely impacted by the debilitating side effects of cancer chemotherapy.”

He added that the company’s experience with nabilone combined with its contact with customers would enable it to meet patient need in this area while expanding its reach into an important market.

In May 2006, Valeant received marketing approval for oral nabilone capsules from the US Food and Drug Administration.