Last week, the list of pharmaceutical deals announced also could have served as a geography lesson. Not only was the volume of deals particularly high, accounting for nearly 28% of the week’s total, but it had a diverse list of countries.
Beginning in the United States, New York City-based Royalty Pharma, which focuses entirely on acquiring royalty interests in marketed and late-stage biopharmaceutical products, acquired the royalty interest in Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Emgality from Arteaus Therapeutics (Cambridge, Massachusetts) for $260 million.
Advanz Pharma Corp. (ADVZ.TO), a Canadian pharmaceutical company, bought the global rights to two drugs for $33.3 million from Japanese drug maker, Eisai Inc. Combined, the products generated roughly $13 million in revenue in 2018 in the territories where Advanz Pharma will hold the rights.
In Europe, Zentiva Group a.s., a distributor of generic pharmaceuticals based in the Czech Republic, bought Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s subsidiary, Creo Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The target is located in the United Kingdom, giving Zentiva a stronger market presence in that country. No financial terms were disclosed in that deal.
Pierre Fabre S.A., a French company that designs, develops, produces and markets pharmaceutical products for customers in France and internationally, purchased the license to commercialize Nerlynx for $60 million from Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBYI). Pierre Fabre will have exclusive commercialization rights for Nerylnx in European countries excluding Russia and Ukraine, along with countries in North Africa and francophone countries of West Africa. Pierre Fabre will also be responsible for conducting additional clinical studies and leading regulatory activities in connection with the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Another deal worth noting is Encore Dermatology Inc.’s purchase of rights to three prescription drugs from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (NYSE: RDY), the India-based pharmaceutical giant. The deal includes the rights to Sernivo, and the rights to market and distribute Trianex 0.05% and Promiseb Topical Cream in the United States. The three products are prescription medicines designed to treat various skin conditions and diseases. This acquisition allows Encore to expand its portfolio of medical dermatology products. No financial terms were disclosed.