The Medicines Company, SciClone Pharma Partner On Cardiovascular Treatments In China
By Cyndi Root
The Medicines Company and SciClone Pharmaceuticals have partnered on two cardiovascular products in China. The companies announced the deal in a press release, stating that The Medicines Company has granted SciClone an exclusive license to market Angiomax (bivalirudin) and Clevipres (clevidipine) in China. Hong Zhao, CEO of China Operations for SciClone, said, “These differentiated products offer significant synergies with our current cardiovascular portfolio and sales and marketing activities.”
Medicines Company and SciClone Agreement
Under the terms of the agreement, SciClone agrees to be responsible for both products in the Chinese market, not including Hong Kong and Macau. SciClone will handle all aspects of commercialization, including pre- and post-launch activities, and it will assist in the registration process in China. The financial terms of the agreement call for payments to The Medicines Company of up to $50 million, which includes an upfront payment, a product support services, regulatory and commercial success milestone payments, and sales royalties.
Angiomax
Angiomax (bivalirudin) is a direct thrombin inhibitor used with aspirin. It is indicated in the U.S. for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as an anticoagulant in patients with unstable angina (UA) undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The Chinese regulatory authorities are currently reviewing a Phase 3 trial on the agent conducted in China.
Cleviprex
Cleviprex (clevidipine) Injectable Emulsion is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that reduces blood pressure. The Medicines Company filed a clinical trial application (CTA) in China in 2013 to study the agent. Glenn Sblendorio, President and CFO for The Medicines Company, said, “Cleviprex represents a differentiated opportunity in the large and growing Chinese anti-hypertensive market.” SciClone’s Mr. Zhao said the agent offers advantages in rapid onset, short half-life, and arterial selectivity.
About SciClone
SciClone is a U.S. based company that focuses on the Chinese market in the oncology, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular disorders areas. The publicly held corporation is headquartered in Foster City, California. Its lead product, Zadaxin is approved in over 30 countries to treat hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and some cancers. In a financial statement issued in November 2014, SciClone said Zadaxin revenues were $32.1 million in Q3 2014, a 28 percent increase over the same period in 2013.