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The approval marks the start of a new phase of development for NeurogesX. The developer plans to build its own sales force to launch the pain patch in the U.S. while Astellas has the license on the European market. The patch, which contains a prescription strength of capsaicin, is designed to provide pain relief for 12 weeks.

“We are delighted to have received the FDA’s approval to provide this novel pain management therapy to the many patients and physicians looking for new ways to manage PHN,” CEO Anthony DiTonno said in a press release.  ”The approval of Qutenza is a tremendous accomplishment for NeurogesX as it represents the culmination of numerous years of hard work and determination by our entire organization.”

Source: FierceBiotech

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Astellas will commercialize Qutenza in the above-mentioned territories and perform certain development of Qutenza including post-marketing commitments, to support Qutenza in the EU market. NeurogesX will receive €30 million (approximately $42 million) for Qutenza commercialization rights, and €5 million (approximately $7 million) for a license option of NGX-1998, the next-generation liquid formulation which uses the same active ingredient as Qutenza.

NeurogesX is eligible for additional sales-based milestone payments and additional option payments related to the liquid formulation totaling approximately €70 million ($97 million) and royalties based on a double-digit percentage of net sales for Qutenza.

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The agreement closely follows the European Commission’s approval received in May 2009, of Qutenza (capsaicin 179 mg) cutaneous patch for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in non-diabetic adults, either alone or in combination with other medicinal pain products.

Source: GEN News