Genta, Emisphere sign license agreement for development of oral gallium compound

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., March 23 - Genta Inc. and Emisphere Technologies Inc. have entered into a worldwide licensing agreement to develop an oral formulation of a gallium-containing compound.

Gallium compounds are bone-targeting agents that inhibit bone breakdown and may be broadly useful for diseases associated with accelerated bone loss.

Ganite (gallium nitrate injection), Genta's first commercialized product, is derived from this class of compounds and is approved in the United States for patients with cancer-related hypercalcemia, according to a company news release.

The license is a result of a research collaboration between the two companies that has demonstrated the ability of Emisphere's eligen technology to deliver an oral gallium-containing compound in preclinical in vivo models, the release said.

Under the agreement, Emisphere will use its proprietary oral delivery technology, eligen, to supply a finished oral dosage form to Genta.

Genta will be responsible for toxicology, clinical development, regulatory submissions and worldwide commercialization.

In addition to royalties on net sales of the product, Genta has agreed to fund Emisphere's development activities and to pay performance milestones related to filing and approval of regulatory applications.

Patent applications have already been filed worldwide that may provide up to 20 years of protection on oral products, the release said.

Emisphere is a biopharmaceutical company based in Tarrytown, N.Y.

Genta is a biopharmaceutical company based in Berkeley Heights, N.J.

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