MALVERN, Pa., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Auxilium
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:
AUXL) and Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation announced today that
they have entered into a long-term strategic alliance for the
development, commercialization and supply of XIAFLEX®
(collagenase clostridium histolyticum), a novel, first-in-class
biologic for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and
Peyronie’s disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Asahi
Kasei Pharma will receive exclusive rights to commercialize XIAFLEX
for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease
in Japan. Asahi Kasei Pharma will be primarily responsible
for the clinical development, regulatory and commercialization
activities for XIAFLEX in Japan.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101202/MM10881LOGO)
XIAFLEX has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and the European Commission for the treatment of
Dupuytren’s contracture. Asahi Kasei Pharma expects to begin
clinical trials for XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s
contracture in 2012. XIAFLEX is also being evaluated in a
global phase III development program for Peyronie’s disease with
top line data expected in the first half of 2012.
“Today, Asahi Kasei Pharma and Auxilium have forged a
partnership, which we believe has the opportunity to offer the
first, effective nonsurgical treatment for two diseases in Japan,”
said Armando Anido, Chief Executive Officer and President of
Auxilium. “With the strength of Asahi Kasei Pharma’s
development and commercialization organizations in Japan, we
believe this relationship greatly enhances our ability to
effectively introduce this potentially groundbreaking product.”
Asahi Kasei Pharma will pay Auxilium $15 million upfront. Under
the terms of the agreement, Asahi Kasei Pharma will also make up to
$247 million in potential mi
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