OPKO Health inks deal to acquire Cytochroma and two Ph III products

Privately-held Canadian company Cytochroma says that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by USA-based OPKO Health (NYSE: OPK). Cytochroma has operations in Markham, Ontario, and Bannockburn, Illinois, USA. Financial terms were not revealed.

Through this transaction, OPKO will acquire worldwide rights to Cytochroma’s two lead product candidates: Replidea (coded CTAP101 capsules), a vitamin D prohormone to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and vitamin D insufficiency; and, Alpharen (fermagate tablets), a non-absorbed phosphate binder to treat hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients. Both products are in Phase III development in the USA. Cytochroma’s officers will join the OPKO management team, and all other Cytochroma employees will be retained by OPKO.