Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Knight Therapeutics Inc., a Canadian-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, in-licensing, selling and marketing innovative prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, and Jaguar Health, Inc., a commercial stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel, sustainably derived gastrointestinal products on a global basis, today announced that they have entered into a Distribution, License and Supply Agreement (the Agreement) that grants Knight the exclusive right to commercialize Mytesi® (crofelemer 125 mg delayed-release tablets) and related products in Canada and Israel and a right of first negotiation to commercialize Mytesi and related products in specified Latin American countries.
Mytesi is an FDA-approved product in the U.S. indicated for the symptomatic relief of noninfectious diarrhea in adult patients with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Jaguar is also pursuing possible follow-on indications for Mytesi in cancer therapy-related diarrhea (CTD), an important supportive care indication for patients undergoing cancer treatment; for rare disease indications for infants and children with congenital diarrheal disorders and short bowel syndrome (SBS); for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); for supportive care for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); and as a second-generation anti-secretory agent for use in cholera patients.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Knight will be responsible for all regulatory and commercial activities for Mytesi and related products in the licensed territories. Upon achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones defined in the Agreement, Jaguar may receive payments from Knight Therapeutics in an aggregate amount of up to USD $18,019,743 (based on September 23, 2018 USD-CAD exchange rates) payable throughout the initial 15-year term of the Agreement.
“We are pleased to enter into this strategic transaction with Jaguar for Mytesi," said Jonathan Ross Goodman, Chief Executive Officer of Knight." Mytesi will strengthen Knight’s portfolio of GI products and will be an important treatment option for Canadian and Israeli patients, if Mytesi is approved in these markets. We are excited to support Jaguar as they seek to develop Mytesi for follow-on indications such as cancer therapy-related diarrhea."
"Our collaboration with Knight is an important step towards unlocking value and making our products available in global markets," said Lisa Conte, president and chief executive officer of Jaguar. "The Knight team is highly experienced and has a strong track record of successful partnerships.”
