Aspreva/Roche change & extend CellCept deal

Canadian drugmaker Aspreva Pharmaceuticals has adjusted the sales tracking methodology used by Swiss drug major Roche, the licensee for its immunosuppressant CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil). The changes to the terms of their 2003 agreement are intended to more accurately track the use of CellCept in transplant indications. As a result of these modifications, it was also necessary to reset the baseline used in the calculation of royalty revenue to 63.0 million Swiss francs ($52.3 million) for fiscal 2007.

As per the CellCept agreement, this baseline is subject to an annual price index adjustment and is updated accordingly by Roche and Aspreva. However, the Canadian drugmaker stressed that these sales tracking method changes, combined with the adjustment to the baseline, are not expected to impact its revenue estimates for the year. Aspreva is therefore maintaining previous guidance and expects revenue to be in excess of $245.0 million.

Aspreva to contribute $20M towards further CellCept development