Immtech licenses pafuramidine to Par

Immtech Pharmaceuticals has granted an exclusive license to fellow USA-based Par Pharmaceutical to commercialize its lead oral drug, pafuramidine maleate, in their domestic market for the treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in AIDS patients. The two firms may also collaborate on efforts to develop pafuramidine as a preventative therapy for patients at risk of developing PCP, including people living with HIV, cancer and other immunosuppressive conditions.

According to the terms of the deal, Immtech has received an initial payment of $3.0 million from Par and an additional $29.0 million will be paid as the drug advances through ongoing Phase III trials and US regulatory review. Immtech, which retains the right to co-market the drug in the USA, will also receive royalties on turnover and could also get up to $115.0 million in additional sales-based milestones.

PCP is a deadly fungal infection in the lungs and the most common opportunistic infection in people living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It also affects people with severely compromised immune systems due to cancer or immunosuppressive therapy (eg, chemotherapy or following organ transplantation). Mortality rates range from 10% to 60%. Immtech noted that the risk of adverse events associated with currently available treatment options for PCP requires that between 20%-57% of all patients be switched to better tolerated regimens during their course of care.