Schering, Novo Lead in Drug Moves

20 November 2000 00:00  [Source: ICB Americas]

In a development for antiviral drugs, Schering-Plough Corporation and ICN Pharmaceuticals have formed a long-term strategic agreement to license drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C and other indications. Under the agreement, Schering-Plough has the right to last refusal to license two antiviral drugs currently in the ICN research pipeline, levovirin and viramidine, and other compounds that ICN may develop for infectious and other diseases. The agreement provides Schering with an exclusive option for a global license for up to three hepatitis C drugs to be developed by ICN.

In other drug news, SK Corporation has licensed a series of SK-developed compounds to the Janssen Research Foundation. The license includes a class of compounds to treat depression, among them the lead compound YKP10A. Also, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation says it will file an application for Diovan (valsartan) for the treatment of heart failure

Novo Nordisk A/S and Pharmacia Corporation reached an out-of-court settlement in a US patent infringement lawsuit brought against Pharmacia Corporation. The suit involved Genotropin (somatropin [rDNA]) for injection), Pharmacia's biosynthetic human growth hormone, which competes with Novo Nordisk's Norditropin human growth hormone product. Novo says the settlement will not have any significant impact on its financial results.

Also, Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co. and Celltech Group PLC have created a patented formulation platform designed to release chiral isomers at differential rates. The lead candidate using this technology is D6428, a pain medication in Phase 1A clinical trials.

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly