Mitsubishi licenses Neurocrine movement disorders drug
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Mitsubishi Tanabe has licensed the development and commercialization rights in Japan and other Asian markets for Neurocrine Biosciences' VMAT2 inhibitor, NBI-98854. Initially, Mitsubishi Tanabe will develop NBI-98854 in Japan for the chorea associated with Huntington's disease and tardive dyskinesia. Neurocrine will receive an initial payment of $30m and is eligible to receive up to $85m in additional milestone payments associated with the development and commercialization of NBI-98854 in Asia. It will also receive royalties on product sales in the relevant markets. The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor product is already in Phase III tardive dyskinesia. It is designed to regulate levels of dopamine release during nerve communication but with fewer off-target side-effects. In addition to Japan, Mitsubishi Tanabe's territory also includes China, South Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Neurocrine retains full commercial rights to NBI-98854 in North America, Europe and other countries outside of Asia.