Pfizer and Medivation collaboration clears review period

Medivation says that its partnership with world drug giant Pfizer has cleared its regulatory review period allowing the companies to begin to jointly develop and commercialize Dimebon (dimebolin), the former's investigational treatment for Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. Expiration of the waiting period, which began when the deal was first signed last month (Marketletter September 8), triggers an up-front payment to Medivation of $225.0 million. Under the terms of the agreement, the originator is also eligible to receive payments of up to $500.0 million upon the attainment of development and regulatory milestones plus additional undisclosed commercial milestone payments. The firms will collaborate on a Phase III program in AD and HD.