Merz bets on China Parkinson’s market with Kvvit licensing deal

German neurology specialist Merz Therapeutics has signed an exclusive licensing and collaboration agreement with Kvvit Pharmaceutical covering Inbrija (levodopa) in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, as the privately held company pushes deeper into Asian neurology markets.

Kvvit will handle local development, regulatory submissions and commercialization, while Merz retains manufacturing responsibility and oversight of global product quality. Financial terms were not disclosed, though the agreement includes upfront, development and commercial milestone payments alongside tiered royalties.

The deal marks another step in Merz’s expansion following its $185 million acquisition of Inbrija and multiple sclerosis medicine Ampyra (dalfampridine) from former Nasdaq-listed Acorda Therapeutics in 2024. Merz acquired the products during Acorda’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring.

Inbrija remained a relatively modest product for Acorda before the bankruptcy. The product generated US revenue of roughly $34 million in 2023 before sales weakened further ahead of the bankruptcy filing.

Inbrija was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2018 and by the European Medicines Agency the following year for intermittent OFF episodes in Parkinson’s patients already receiving levodopa therapy. The inhaled treatment was designed to bypass gastrointestinal absorption problems associated with oral medicines.

Key growth market

China has become an increasingly important target for Parkinson’s disease drugmakers as the country’s aging population expands rapidly. Several industry forecasts estimate the Chinese Parkinson’s treatment market could exceed $300 million by the end of the decade, although some analysts believe the opportunity may be considerably larger.

Researchers have estimated that China could eventually account for nearly half the world’s Parkinson’s population, creating long-term commercial potential for both branded and generic neurological medicines.

Levodopa therapies remain the backbone of Parkinson’s treatment globally. Companies competing in the broader market include AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), Novartis (NOVN: VX), Teva Pharmaceutical (NYSE: TEVA) and Supernus Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SUPN), alongside numerous Chinese domestic manufacturers.

Founded more than a century ago, Merz has built much of its scientific legacy around neurology and movement disorders. The company has gradually expanded beyond Europe through acquisitions and partnerships, while remaining privately owned and family controlled.