Glenmark out-licences pain molecule to Sanofi

Drug-maker Glenmark has formalised an outlicensing deal with Sanofi-aventis to further develop and commercialise the former's novel agents to treat chronic pain, including prospective pain molecule GRC 15300.

The deal breaks a drought of close to two-and-a-half years on the outlicensing front, besides marking a turnaround on the research front for the company. Glenmark will receive an upfront payment of $ 20 million from the Sanofi deal, with milestone and 'double-digit' royalty payments as the molecule is further developed and hits the market. The total value of these payments is pegged at $325 million.

The deal outlines exclusive marketing rights for Sanofi in North America, European Union and Japan, subject to Glenmark's right to co-promote the products in the US and five Eastern European countries. Sanofi-Aventis will also have co-marketing rights in 10 other countries including Brazil, Russia, and China, while Glenmark will retain exclusive rights in India and other countries of the rest of the world.