THERAMetrics And Centurion Pharma Enter Collaboration
Swiss firm THERAMetrics announced that it has partnered with Turkish R&D firm Centurion Pharma for the development and regulatory filing of two drugs in rare diseases.
Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on Aviptadil for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and sarcoidosis as well as interferon gamma for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The partners will primarily target the pharmaceutical market in Turkey, turning their attentions to neighboring markets in the future. THERAMetrics currently holds the patent on both drugs in their respective indications, both of which have received Orphan Medicinal Product Designations in both the U.S. and EU.
Raffaele Petrone, CEO and Chairman of the Board of THERAMetrics said that they are pleased to link arms with Centurion considering that the Turkish pharmaceutical market, worth $9 billion, is set to be one of the top ten markets around the world by 2020. “We deem a partnership in this part of the world strategic for the commercialization of our portfolio, also considering that Turkey is a gateway for the development and commercialization of drugs for the MENA region and Central Asia.” Last month, the company also entered into a non-binding agreement with Spanish firm Intelligent Pharma for a potential business combination.
Ersin Erfa, Executive Board Chair and Dr. Alper Mengi, Vice General Manager of Centurion, stated, “We are delighted to have access to one of the most exciting portfolios of rare disease drugs developed by a pioneer in this field like THERAMetrics. Turkey is one of the countries in the region with the highest incidence of rare diseases; in fact approximately 5 million Turkish patients suffer from orphan diseases. This [knowledge] has been recognized by the Turkish authorities, which provide considerable incentives for R&D in the rare diseases area.”
Both parties of the collaboration have given their commitment to sign definitive agreements by the end of the year.