Merz and Teijin Announce Partnership to Bring Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) to Japan

Merz and Teijin Limited announced that they have entered into a strategic license and co-development agreement for the commercialization of Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) for Japan.

“We believe Xeomin will become the core product of the Teijin Group’s healthcare business, which aims to provide a total solution for stroke patients with the synergistic effects of our stroke related products and pipeline such as rehabilitation devices and regenerative medical products, “ said Akihisa Nabeshima, President, Teijin Pharma Limited. “We are extremely pleased to be establishing a partnership with Merz, whose long, successful history in neurotoxins focus shows a good strategic fit with our own.“

“In Teijin, Merz has found an exceptionally strong partner whose strength in both neurology and the rehabilitation space demonstrates an excellent strategic fit with Merz’s neurotoxin focus,” said Philip Burchard, CEO – Merz. “We are very pleased to enter this collaboration with Teijin in this highly important market, which we hope will enable us to bring neurotoxin therapy to additional patients and fulfill a key need in Japan.”

Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) was approved for use in the treatment of patients with dystonia and blepharospasm by the European regulatory authorities in 2005 and by the U.S. FDA in 2010. The product has been approved for post-stroke spasticity of the upper limb in Europe since 2009, with FDA approval for the adult upper limb spasticity indication granted in 2015. Xeomin^®(incobotulinumtoxinA) is marketed in 50 countries around the world. Merz uses state-of-the-art technology in its dedicated, FDA-approved facility in Dessau, Germany, meeting the highest international standards for biologic manufacturing.

Under the terms of the agreement, Merz will receive an upfront payment in addition to milestones and royalties. Merz is currently sponsoring two clinical trials in Japan covering spasticity of both upper and lower limbs, and the upper limb trial is expected to be completed in 2018. Teijin Pharma Limited, the core company of Teijin Group’s healthcare business will prepare and file the marketing approval application. Upon the marketing approval of Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), Merz will be responsible for the product manufacturing and supply and Teijin Pharma will manage commercial activities in Japan.

“Merz has a long history of successful partnerships both in Japan and around the world, and we continue to actively seek opportunities to collaborate with well-matched strategic partners such as Teijin,” said Jörg Bergler, Global Head of Corporate Development for Merz. “Teijin Pharma is a growing player within rehabilitation in Japan, and has shown a strong track record of product maximization and market expansion in their Pharmaceutical business, and Merz looks forward to a productive and successful relationship with them for many years to come.”

Image Source: Merz