MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MGI PHARMA, INC. (NASDAQ:MOGN), a biopharmaceutical company focused in oncology and acute care, today announced it has entered into agreements with AkaRx, Inc., for AKR-501, a novel, orally-available, small molecule thrombopoietin mimetic being developed for the treatment of thrombocytopenia. AKR-501 is a full agonist that targets the c-Mpl receptor on platelet producing cells to stimulate platelet production. Under the terms of the agreements, MGI PHARMA has obtained the rights to develop AKR-501, and an option to acquire AkaRx, at MGI's sole discretion, at any time up to January 8, 2010.
