AstraZeneca Assumes Full Responsibility for Linzess in China
AstraZeneca has amended its collaboration agreement with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals for Linzess in China. The new agreement grants AstraZeneca sole responsibility for the drug's development, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has modified its collaboration agreement with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals concerning Linzess (linaclotide), a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in China. Under the revised terms, AstraZeneca will exclusively manage the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of Linzess in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals will cease its involvement in the research, development, and commercialization of the drug. AstraZeneca will also assume manufacturing responsibilities. The original partnership between the two companies to co-develop and commercialize Linzess in China began in 2012.
Linzess received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in January 2019 and is slated for launch in 2019. IBS-C is a prevalent and chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder in China, with a significant unmet medical need.
Financial terms include AstraZeneca paying Ironwood three non-contingent payments totaling $35 million between 2021 and 2024. Ironwood may also receive up to $90 million in milestone payments tied to sales targets, along with royalty payments based on net sales.