Schering-Plough/Centocor revise Remicade and golimumab deals

USA-based Schering-Plough and Centocor have revised their 1998 distribution agreement on Remicade (infliximab for chronic inflammatory disorders and golimumab, Centocor's next generation human, anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy, now in Phase III trials. The deal extends S-P's rights to Remicade outside the USA to beyond 2014 to match the current duration of the golimumab deal. As a result, Centocor will receive a progressively increased share of profits and will allow S-P to independently develop golimumab for Crohn's disease in its territories. Also, it provides for S-P to make an upfront payment of $25.0 million in fourth-quarter 2007 for rights to an auto-injector device to be used with golimumab that was developed by Centocor affiliate Cilag GmbH of Germany.