Helsinn Group Signs Exclusive Agreement With Mundipharma for the Distribution and Licence of Anamorelin in Northern Europe Countries

LUGANO and BASEL, Switzerland, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

This exclusive agreement strengthens previous alliances with Mundipharma and its network of independent associated companies in cancer supportive care across multiple territories worldwide. 

Helsinn, the Swiss pharmaceutical Group focused on building quality cancer care, today announce that they have entered into distribution, license and supply agreements with Mundipharma and its network of independent associated companies granting exclusive rights to anamorelin in Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland.

Under the terms of the new agreements, Helsinn retains all development rights as well as regulatory and clinical development activities in the above mentioned countries and the supply of anamorelin to Mundipharma for commercial use. Mundipharma obtains exclusive rights to marketing, distribution and sales of anamorelin in Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. Helsinn already has existing alliances with Mundipharma, for anamorelin, in Brazil, Middle East and North Africa, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Anamorelin is a novel, once-daily, orally active ghrelin receptor agonist in development for the treatment of Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), an area of significant unmet medical need. Also known as the wasting syndrome, Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia has characteristics such as reduced appetite/food intake and unintended weight loss (mainly due to muscle loss) which are known to lead to early deaths of people with cancer. It is estimated that over 50% of late-stage cancer patients suffer from cancer anorexia-cachexia. K.C.H. Fearon et al (Sep 2002). Cancer cachexia. Int J Cardiol 85 (1): 73–81. PMID 12163211

By mimicking ghrelin, the so-called "hunger hormone" secreted by the gastrointestinal tract, anamorelin was shown to increase lean body mass and improve appetite in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who are suffering from Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia in two pivotal large-scale 12-week Phase III studies, ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2.

Riccardo Braglia, Vice Chairman and CEO of Helsinn Group, said: "Anamorelin has been shown to significantly increase lean body mass and appetite in two pivotal Phase III studies, aspects that strongly impact the quality of life for people with Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia. Helsinn has an established relationship with Mundipharma, with existing alliances in several territories, and we are delighted that we will be able to extend these to Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland."

Anders Fogstrup, Head of the Nordic Mundipharma network of independent associated companies, said: "The addition of Anamorelin to our portfolio is an exemplification of our aim to work with companies that share our high standards in delivering effective treatment options which meet the needs of both patients and payers. Thanks to our European reach, strong commercial focus and expertise, the strength of the Mundipharma network of independent associated companies is an attractive proposition to potential partners and we envisage increased expansion over the next decade."

About anamorelin and ghrelin 

Anamorelin HCI is a novel, orally active ghrelin receptor agonist under development for the treatment of anorexia, cachexia, or unintended weight loss in NSCLC patients.

Ghrelin is an endogenous peptide primarily secreted by the stomach. Upon binding to its receptor, ghrelin stimulates multiple pathways in the positive regulation of body weight, lean body mass, appetite and metabolism. Anamorelin is an investigational agent that has not yet been approved by any regulatory authority.

The information discussed in this release is not intended to convey conclusions about its efficacy and safety.

About the Helsinn Group 

Helsinn is a privately owned cancer supportive care pharmaceutical group with an extensive portfolio of marketed products and a broad development pipeline. Since 1976, Helsinn has been improving the everyday lives of patients, guided by core family values of respect, integrity and quality, through a unique integrated licensing business model working with long standing partners in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and nutritional supplement products. Helsinn is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, with operating subsidiaries in Ireland and the US (Helsinn Therapeutics), a representative office in China, as well as a product presence in about 90 countries globally.

For more information, please visit http://www.helsinn.com.

For more information please contact:
Helsinn Group
Paola Bonvicini
Head of Communication & Press Office
PH +41-91-985-21-21
info-hhc@helsinn.com

For media / external inquiries
Consilium Strategic Communications  
Mary-Jane Elliott / Jessica Hodgson / Matthew Neal / Laura Thornton
Tel: +44(0)203-709-5700
Helsinn@consilium-comms.com