Pozen, AstraZeneca to develop combination pain reliever

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 2 - Pozen, Inc. and AstraZeneca have signed an exclusive global collaboration agreement with for the co-development and commercialization of fixed-dose combinations of the proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole magnesium with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen, in a single tablet.

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will pay Pozen an upfront fee totaling $40 million with potential total milestone payments of $160 million for certain development and regulatory milestones; and $175 million of potential sales performance milestones, if certain thresholds are achieved.

Royalties will be paid on net sales on a tiered royalty structure that ranges from mid-single digits to mid-teens, according to a news release.

Pozen will be responsible for the development and filing of the New Drug Application in the United States, while AstraZeneca will have full responsibility for development outside of the United States as well as all aspects of manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution on a worldwide basis.

AstraZeneca will also be responsible for all non-U.S. regulatory filings, the release said.

Pozen said the product will be indicated for the management of pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in patients who are at risk for developing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory-associated gastric ulcers.

Pozen is a pharmaceutical company based in Chapel Hill, N.C.

AstraZeneca is an international health care business with headquarters in London.

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