Co-promotion agreement signed for cancer therapy Zykadia

Swiss-based pharma group Helsinn has revealed its US subsidiary (Helsinn Therapeutics) has signed a co-promotion agreement with Novartis for Zykadia — an approved treatment for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as detected with an FDA approved test.

Through this agreement, Novartis has granted a non-exclusive, non-sublicensable right to Helsinn Therapeutics to provide detailing services for Zykadia in the US. All other activities, including marketing and commercialisation, in the country will remain with Novartis.

“We are delighted to have signed this agreement for the co-promotion of Zykadia with Novartis, which enjoys a world-leading reputation in cancer therapeutics. For Helsinn, the agreement validates the quality and expertise of the HTU sales team in the US and we plan to initiate promotional activities in September through our specialty cancer sales force. By working with Novartis on such an important newly approved first-line therapy, HTU expects to expand its critical experience marketing therapeutic cancer drugs and working alongside healthcare professionals as we increase the scope of our therapeutic pipeline.”