Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has entered into a licensing agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd as part of which it will get exclusive, worldwide development and commercialisation rights, excluding for Japan and Asia, for the Japanese firm’s investigational anticancer agent E7777.
A phase II clinical study of the agent, which is a fusion protein, in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or peripheral T-cell lymphoma is under way in Japan. Preparations are in progress for a Phase III clinical study in the US, a release from Dr. Reddy’s on Thursday said.
In exchange of these rights, Eisai will receive milestone payments in line with obtaining marketing approval and achievement of agreed upon sales targets. Eisai will be responsible for development and marketing of E7777 in Japan and Asia.
“Dr. Reddy’s holds the option for rights to develop and market the agent in India,” the release said.
Dr. Reddy’s executive vice-president-Proprietary Products Group Raghav Chari said E7777 has significant potential as an important component of systemic therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. “This therapy represents an extension of our current efforts in the dermatology space to an important segment of skin-related cancers,” he said.
