Keryx Licenses Rights to Japan Tobacco for Drug Development

Source from:  Reuters - Wednesday, September 26Sept 26 09/27/2007

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc said it entered into a licensing pact with Japan Tobacco Inc and its unit to give them the exclusive rights to develop and market its drug candidate Zerenex in Japan. Under the agreement, Japan Tobacco and its unit, Torii Pharmaceutical Co Ltd will pay up to $100 million in up-front license fees and payments. Zerenex, which is for the treatment of elevated phosphate levels in patients with end-stage renal disease, is currently in mid-stage trials in the United States. Enditem