MONTREAL, Quebec and LUGANO, Switzerland – May 12, 2022 – Knight Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: GUD) (“Knight”), a pan-American (ex-USA) specialty pharmaceutical company, and Helsinn Healthcare SA (“Helsinn”), a fully integrated, global biopharma company with a diversified pipeline of innovative oncology assets and strong track record of commercial execution, today announced that Knight, through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and Helsinn have entered into an exclusive license, distribution and supply agreement for AKYNZEO® oral/IV (netupitant/palonosetron / fosnetupitant/palonosetron) in Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and ALOXI® oral/IV (palonosetron) in Canada (the “Products”). According to IQVIA, sales of AKYNZEO® in Canada and Brazil were approximately $7 million in 2021.
Under the terms of the agreement, Knight shall have the exclusive right to distribute, promote, market and sell the Products in the licensed territories. Knight will begin commercial activities following a transition period from Helsinn’s current licensees.
“We are very excited to enter into this agreement with Helsinn for AKYNZEO® in Canada, Brazil and other selected Latin American countries, and ALOXI® in Canada,” said Samira Sakhia, President and CEO of Knight. “These products are highly synergistic with our oncology portfolio and commercial footprint, and we look forward to widening access to these therapies in our target markets. AKYNZEO® and ALOXI® are leading, guideline-recommended1,2,3 antiemetics that help to prevent one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.”
“AKYNZEO® and ALOXI® form a key part of Helsinn’s commercial engine of supportive cancer care products,” said Giorgio Calderari, Helsinn CEO. “Knight has a unique footprint with strong capabilities across Canada and Latin America, and we look forward to collaborating with them as they work to ensure patients in these geographies have access to these important medicines.”
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.