Midatech acquired brand “Zuplenz” from Galena Biopharma

This is one of the case study where a brand of company is acquired by another company.

Case Brief: Midatech Pharma, the international specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercialising products in oncology and other therapeutic areas, acquired Zuplenz (ondansetron) from a from Galena Biopharma, Inc.

Target and Market Potential

Zuplenz is marketed in the US for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV), and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and has a target market of $4.6 billion by 2018.

Why Midatech acquired brand “Zuplenz” from Galena Biopharma?

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Jim Phillips, CEO of Midatech Pharma, said, “We are pleased to complete the acquisition of Zuplenz, which adds to our rapidly growing portfolio of marketed oncology products. We believe that our recent product acquisitions will help drive the Group towards sustainable profitability.”

About Zuplenz® (ondansetron) Oral Soluble Film

Zuplenz®, launched in the United States in July 2015, is an anti-emetic, which does not need to be injected or swallowed, offering patients a differentiated alternative. Midatech expects that the acquisition of Zuplenz® will leverage its commercial infrastructure in the United States, following the acquisition of DARA BioSciences, and is complementary to Midatech’s three existing marketed oncology products. With patent protection until at least 2029, Zuplenz® is targeting an estimated $4.6bn market by 2018 and is expected to add to Midatech’s growing revenues.

Zuplenz® utilises MonoSol’s proprietary PharmFilm® technology, an oral soluble film that dissolves on the tongue in less than 30 seconds, therefore eliminating the burden of swallowing pills during periods of emesis. The active pharmaceutical ingredient in Zuplenz®, ondansetron, belongs to a class of medications called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting.