Nycomed to market Almirall's Kestine in Southeast Asia markets; files for linaclotide in EU

Swiss drug maker Nycomed, currently the subject of a 9.6 billion-euro takeover by Japan’s Takeda (TYO: 4502), and Spain’s largest pharma company Almirall (ALM. MC) have signed a licensing and supply agreement for Almirall's R&D antihistamine ebastina, under the trademark Kestine, indicated for allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, in China and other key emerging markets.

Under the terms of the deal, Nycomed will have exclusive commercialisation rights for the existing Kestine product in China. Additionally, Kestine will be launched in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, with Nycomed becoming marketing authorization holder in these territories. Financial details of the accord were not disclosed.

Ebastine is a product developed by Almirall's R&D and which to date has been marketed in more than 30 countries worldwide through the company's own affiliates and licensees. Its efficacy and safety are backed by thorough, extensive research: over 100 clinical studies have been conducted on over 15,700 patients.