Clinigen signs Ethyol agreement with Cumberland

Global pharmaceutical and services company Clinigen announced on Tuesday it has signed an exclusive agreement with US specialty pharmaceutical company Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to commercialise oncology support drug Ethyol in the US.

The AIM-traded company said it is the first product it has licensed to Cumberland under the strategic alliance entered into late last year.

Ethyol (amifostine) is an FDA-approved cytoprotective drug indicated as an adjuvant therapy to reduce the incidence of xerostomia (dry mouth) as a side-effect in patients undergoing postoperative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.

Clinigen said it also reduces the cumulative renal toxicity associated with the repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Under the agreement, Cumberland will be be responsible for all marketing, promotion and distribution of the product in the US.

Clinigen acquired the worldwide rights to Ethyol from AstraZeneca in 2014, and described the agreement as an important step in its revitalisation plan for the product.

"Our strategic alliance with Cumberland is a key part of our continuing strategy to develop our global footprint for our Specialty Pharmaceuticals business,” said Clinigen CEO Peter George.

“This exclusive agreement with Ethyol is the first with Cumberland but others will follow. They are an important partner as we look to further raise our presence in a major market such as the US.”

George said the market is key to revitalising its products, and Clinigen was also keen to make the brand available to more patients in treating particularly difficult side effects of cancer treatment.

AJ Kazimi, chief executive of Cumberland, said the company has been very selective in the brands that it brings to its portfolio, and believes Ethyol will be an excellent fit for its hospital sales organisation.

“We look forward to expanding our focus areas with this hospital-based oncology support brand while continuing to deliver products that improve the quality of care for patients and that address poorly met medical needs,” Kazimi said.