September 15, 2014
By Krystle Vermes, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff
Lupin Pharmaceuticals is allegedly close to striking a deal with Merck Serono, according to numerous sources, which will involve Lupin manufacturing $1.5 billion worth of Merck Serono’s mature drugs, reported Monday.
The company will also reportedly get the marketing rights to these drugs, specifically in emerging nations and Europe. However, Merck Serono will continue to hold the rights to drugs that have been marketed in developed nations.
As a result of the rumors, shares of Lupin have been hitting record highs, fueling the notion that a deal may be close.
Lupin and Salix
On Sept. 12, Lupin and Salix Pharmaceuticals announced that they had entered a distribution agreement, which gave Lupin the exclusive right to marketing, distribute and sell some Salix products in Canada. This included rights to Zaxine, also known as rifaximin, for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy in adults.
Additionally, Lupin received the rights to Relistor, an injection for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced illness.
Lupin will use its own sales force in Canada to promote Salix products as it looks to establish a presence in this portion of North America. Zaxine and Relistor are considered first-in-class treatments for their respective disorders.
Salix will receive upfront payment and distribution fees as a result of the agreement. It will also work to continuously provide products to Lupin under a separate supply agreement.
Zaxine is distributed in the form of a tablet at 550 mg. Some of the hypersensitive reactions that have been documented in patients include exfoliative dermatitis, angioneurotic edema and anaphylaxis.
Relistor, which is also known as methylnaltrexone bromide, is administered to patients who are suffering from gastrointestinal obstruction. Some of the adverse effects that have been documented in relation to Relistor include abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence and diarrhea. Doctors are advised to stop the treatment if patients exhibit worsening abdominal pain.
Lupin is the fifth largest and fastest growing top five generics company in the U.S. It focuses on biotechnology products and genetic formulations globally. Lupin also has a presence in the cardiovascular and diabetes industries.Salix Pharmaceuticals develops and markets prescription products and medical devices, specifically for gastrointestinal diseases. The company is situated in Raleigh, N.C.
