Novartis Pharma Inks Pact with Vanda Pharmaceuticals for Commercialization of Fanapt in the U.S. and Canada

Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced that Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has reported its entry into an exclusive agreement with Novartis Pharma to commercialize and develop Fanapt (iloperidone) in the U.S. and Canada.

Fanapt, an atypical anti-psychotic, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this summer for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults. The U.S. anti-psychotic market is approximately $14 billion a year.

Under the terms of its sublicense agreement with Novartis, Titan is entitled to receive royalties on global net sales of Fanapt equal to 8 percent on annual net sales up to $200 million, and 10 percent on annual net sales above $200 million. Titan incurs no ongoing expenses associated with this potential future income, the groups noted.

Vanda said that under an amended and restated agreement of the parties, Novartis will have exclusive commercialization rights to Fanapt for the U.S. and Canada, and make an upfront payment of $200 million to Vanda and a royalty on net sales in this territory. Vanda also has the potential to receive additional payments totaling up to $265 million upon the achievement of certain development and commercial milestones for Fanapt in the U.S. and Canada. Novartis will be responsible for the further clinical development activities in these territories, including the development and commercialization of a long-acting injectable (or depot) formulation of Fanapt. Novartis also has the option to enter into good faith discussions relating to an agreement for the co-commercialization of Fanapt outside of the U.S. and Canada.

"We are very pleased that Fanapt will be commercialized in the US and Canada by Novartis Pharma, an experienced top tier pharmaceutical company with expertise in this area and extensive knowledge of the drug from its prior involvement in the development process," said Sunil Bhonsle, President of Titan.

"Fanapt will provide an important new option for patients with schizophrenia and the physicians who treat them. Development of the depot formulation should provide an additional important tool in the armamentarium for treatment of schizophrenic patients," added Marc Rubin, MD, Executive Chairman of Titan.

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