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Erwinase is an L-asparaginase derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi, which isused to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia in combination with otheranti-neoplastic agents. It is currently approved for use in Canada and in anumber of countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and is undergoingregistration procedures in several other territories.
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"This agreement represents an important strategic milestone for EUSA asit extends the reach of our partnership network to the Japanese market forthe first time," said Bryan Morton, EUSA Pharma's President and ChiefExecutive Officer. "In the past four years EUSA has made great progressbuilding a broad portfolio of marketed products and a specialty commercialinfrastructure in Europe and North America. At the same time we have put inplace a wider distribution network to bring our products to patients in over80 countries around the world. Our new partnership with Ohara extends thereach of our commercialization capabilities, which now cover all of theworld's major pharmaceutical markets."
Commenting on the agreement, Dr Seiji Ohara, Ohara Pharmaceutical's CEOand President, said, "Erwinase is an ideal fit with Ohara's growing portfolioof oncology and orphan drugs, and continues the transition of our businesstowards innovative new therapeutics. We look forward to working with theJapanese health authorities and leading opinion leaders to make this therapyavailable to patients throughout Japan."
About EUSA Pharma
EUSA Pharma is a rapidly growing transatlantic specialty pharmaceuticalcompany focused on in-licensing, developing and marketing late-stageoncology, pain control and critical care products. The company currently haseight marketed products, including Caphosol(R) for the treatment of oralmucositis, a common and debilitating side-effect of radiation therapy andhigh dose chemotherapy, Erwinase(R) and Kidrolase(R) for the treatment ofacute lymphoblastic leukemia, Collatamp(R) G, a surgical implant impregnatedwith the antibiotic gentamicin, ProstaScint(R) for imaging the extent andspread of prostate cancer and Quadramet(R) for the treatment of pain inpatients whose cancer has spread to the bones. EUSA also has several productsin late-stage development.
Founded in 2006, EUSA Pharma is supported by a consortium of leading lifescience capital investors, comprising Essex Woodlands, 3i, Goldman Sachs,Advent Venture Partners, SV Life Sciences, TVM Capital, NeoMed and NovaQuest.Since its foundation, the company has raised over $300 million, and completedseveral significant transactions, including the acquisitions of CytogenCorporation, Talisker Pharma Limited, the French biopharmaceutical companyOPi SA and the European antibiotic and pain control business of InnocollPharmaceuticals Inc. Key to its rapid growth strategy is the company'sestablished commercial infrastructure in the US, pan-European presencecovering over 20 countries and wider distribution network in a further 80territories. EUSA Pharma plans to continue its aggressive program ofacquisitions and in-licensing, in line with its ambitious target to becomethe leading specialty company in its areas of therapeutic and geographicfocus.Contacts Bryan Morton Chief Executive EUSA Pharma Tel: +44(0)1865-784255 Rob Budge RJB Communications Tel: +44(0)1865-760969 Mobile: +44(0)7710-741241
SOURCE EUSA Pharma
