Ipsen stands to earn roughly $197 in up-front and success-based fees.

Menarini negotiated exclusive rights to Ipsen’s EMEA-approved gout therapy, Adenuric®, in 41 countries including those in the EU, Russia, and countries west of Russia. The first launches of the drug in Europe are projected for early 2010.

Under the terms of the deal, Ipsen retains co-promotion rights to the drug in France and could receive up to €132 million (about $197.27 million) in an up-front payment and commercial milestones plus royalties from sales in Menarini’s territories.

Adenuric was granted EU marketing authorization in June 2008 for the treatment of chronic hyperuricemia in conditions in which urate deposition has already occurred, including tophus and/or gouty arthritis. The API, febuxostat, is an oral, nonpurine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, originally discovered by Teijin Pharma.

The Japanese company granted Ipsen exclusive European development and marketing rights to Adenuric in 2003. The drug will also be supplied to Menarini by Teijin. Febuxostat is marketed as Uloric® in the U.S. by licensee Takeda Pharmaceutical.

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