Ono and DSP look to extend limaprost franchise through carpal tunnel deal
This article was originally published in Scrip
Ono will be hoping to shore up the sales of its top-selling product through an agreement with Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma to develop and market jointly in Japan limaprost alfadex for the new indication of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
The oral prostaglandin E1 analogue, which was originally co-developed by the two firms, is already marketed in the country for ischaemic symptoms such as skin ulcers, pain and feelings of cold accompanying thromboangiitis obliterans, and subjective symptoms including pain, lower leg numbness and walking disability associated with lumbar spinal canal stenosis.
A development programme for cervical spondylosis was discontinued several years ago after disappointing efficacy results.
Sold as Opalmon by Ono, the product generated sales of ¥40.1 billion ($493 million) for the firm last fiscal year, although these fell by 10% due in part to the general April 2010 price cut. DSP's sales of the drug (as Prorenal) fell by 3% to ¥14.9 billion in the same period, and for both companies Japan is limaprost's largest market.
The financial terms of the new agreement were not disclosed, but DSP and Ono said they expect the peripheral dilatory action of the molecule to improve blood flow in the nerve tissue affected by CTS. The neuropathic disorder, which causes pain and numbness in the hands due to compression of the median nerve, is currently treated mainly through surgery, while drugs such as corticosteroids and NSAIDs are used to control symptoms.