Amarin acquires rights to oral apomorphine formulation

By Jennifer Lanning Drey

Eugene, Ore., May 17 - Amarin Corp. plc announced it has acquired global rights to a new oral formulation of apomorphine that is currently in clinical trials for treatment of semi-paralysis episodes experienced by patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.

The company said the move is characteristic of its plans for its in-licensing program.

"This is a component of our active growth strategy in terms of looking at in-licensing additional neurology compounds to strengthen the pipeline," said Rick Stewart, chief executive officer of Amarin, during a presentation at the Bank of America 2006 Health Care Conference.

The company estimates that there are more than 100,000 cases of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who experience periods of semi paralysis, often called "off" episodes, in the United States, and a similar number in Europe.

The current method of treating those patients relies on frequent injections of apomorphine, which can be painful and cause local swelling.

"An oral apomorphine offers a very encouraging alternative to what is a very painful process at the current time. It is a much-needed alternative, which should lead to a greater level of prescribing," said Stewart in his presentation at the health care conference.

Amarin acquired the rights to the new formulation from Dr. Anthony Clarke, Amarin's vice president of clinical development, who invented the formulation and filed the related patent prior to joining the company, according to a company news release.

The transaction consideration comprises a small upfront payment, success milestones on the advancement of the development program to regulatory approval and royalties upon commercialization; however, specific terms are not being disclosed, according to the news release.

Amarin has conducted a proof of concept study for the oral formulation of apomorphine and plans to complete final formulation development activity within the next six months. It expects to start final-stage clinical trials in 2007, Stewart said at the conference.

The company's primary focus remains the successful conclusion of phase 3 trials of Miraxion for Huntington's disease, which is being developed under a Special Protocol Assessment agreed with the Food and Drug Administration and has been granted fast track designation by the FDA as well as received orphan drug designation in the United States and Europe, Stewart said.

Amarin is a London neuroscience company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel drugs to treat central nervous system disorders.

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