Cytogen, Savient finalize distribution agreement for Soltamox

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., April 24 - Cytogen Corp. and Savient Pharmaceuticals formed a distribution agreement granting Cytogen exclusive marketing rights for the first U.S.-approved oral liquid hormonal therapy, Soltamox (tamoxifen citrate).

The cytostatic estrogen receptor antagonist is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer in adjuvant and metastatic settings, and to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ or with high risk of breast cancer.

Under the agreement, Cytogen will pay Savient an upfront licensing fee of $2 million, plus additional contingent sales-based milestone payments totaling $4 million to Savient and its wholly owned subsidiary, U.K.-based Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Savient and Rosemont will also receive royalties on net sales of Soltamox.

Cytogen has also entered into a supply agreement with Rosemont for the manufacture and supply of Soltamox, which it expects to launch during the third quarter of 2006.

"We are extremely pleased to finalize our exclusive distribution agreement with Savient, which expands Cytogen's established commercial presence in the oncology therapeutic arena," president and chief executive officer Michael D. Becker said in a news release.

"This is central to our strategy of leveraging the effectiveness of our existing U.S. sales network by supplying it with attractive, new, IP [intellectual property]-protected products that represent significant commercial opportunities in relevant specialist therapeutic areas."

While Tamoxifen is the most commonly used anti-estrogen drug effective in cancer survival, its pill form is difficult for patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). The availability of an oral liquid dosing option could allow more women to benefit from hormonal treatment for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, the release stated.

Cytogen is a Princeton, N.J.-based biopharmaceutical company.

Savient is an emerging specialty pharmaceuticals company based in East Brunswick, N.J.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.