Helsinn out-licenses Akynzeo and Onicit in Russia to Berlin-Chemie

Helsinn out-licenses Akynzeo (netupitant/palonosetron) and Onicit (palonosetron) for Russia and the CIS region to Berlin-Chemie, the German-based affiliate of Italy’s Menarini Group. Both drugs are indicated for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Akynzeo, a fixed dose combination anti-emetic therapy targeting both critical pathways of acute and delayed CINV, was granted registration in Russia in October 2019 and the product will be launched in the country in 2020.

Onicit, an anti-emetic for the prevention of CINV that has also been sold under the brand name Aloxi, was registered in Russia in 2011 and will be relaunched with Akynzeo.

Besides Russia, the licensing agreements with Berlin-Chemie cover Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Akynzeo has obtained a registration in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, while Aloxi holds a registration in Ukraine.

Under the terms of the agreements, Helsinn will retain all international development rights, including clinical development activities, and the supply of the products. Berlin-Chemie will have the exclusive rights to promote, distribute and commercialize them in the assigned countries.