Ligand Pharmaceuticals Expands License with Sermonix to Include Worldwide Rights for Oral Lasofoxifene
Wednesday, March 01, 2017
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announces that it has expanded its license with Sermonix Pharmaceuticals to include worldwide rights to develop and commercialize oral lasofoxifene. Ligand originally licensed the U.S. rights to oral lasofoxifene to Sermonix in February of 2015, and has now expanded the agreement to include the rest of the world. Sermonix is focused on breast and ovarian cancer treatment with oral lasofoxifene, particularly an indication in the treatment of advanced Estrogen Receptor positive (ER+) endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
“Lasofoxifene is an asset with a rich heritage originating at Ligand and with a substantial set of global clinical data. This agreement with Sermonix represents an expansion of our relationship and enables further development of oral lasofoxifene on a worldwide basis,” said John Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. “This amendment includes an upfront payment, additional commercial milestones and 6% to 10% royalties on ex-US sales and is consistent with our shots-on-goal business model of partnering the development of our assets to create a robust pipeline with limited required R&D spending by Ligand.”
