AstraZeneca signs agreement in Japan with Daiichi Sankyo

AstraZeneca today announced a co-promotion agreement in Japan with Daiichi Sankyo for denosumab for the treatment of bone disorders stemming from bone metastasis.

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo will co-promote denosumab after it is approved for use in Japan. Bone metastasis is one of the most frequent causes of pain for cancer patients which can cause bone fractures and reduces ability to maintain normal quality of life including day-to-day activities. Denosumab, with its novel mode of action and targeted delivery via a monthly subcutaneous injection, represents a new treatment option in Japan for the management of bone metastasis across a broad range of cancer types.

In Japan, Daiichi Sankyo acquired denosumab rights in 2007 from Amgen Inc. The company filed a Japanese New Drug Application (JNDA) in August 2010.

Tony Zook, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca’s Global Commercial Organisation said: “Collaborations like this are a key part of our strategy to bring innovative medicines to patients. This partnership leverages our long-standing commitment to oncology in Japan, and we look forward to contributing our expertise in this area to bring this novel cancer treatment to patients upon approval.”

Financial terms of this agreement are not disclosed.