Merck, Japan Tobacco Ink Osteoporosis Deal

Source from:  September 26, 2008 - fiercebiotech.com By Maureen Martino  09/27/2008

Merck has signed an agreement with Japan Tobacco to develop and commercialize JTT-305, an investigational oral osteoanabolic drug. Japan Tobacco gets an undisclosed upfront payment and could receive additional cash payments upon achievement of certain milestones. The company will also get royalties from sales of any drug candidates that receive marketing approval. Merck gains worldwide rights to JTT-305 outside of Japan. Most osteoporosis treatments on the market today reduce fractures by preventing bone loss. JTT-305, on the other hand, cuts fractures by promoting new bone growth. The drug is in Phase II trials in Japan and in Phase I trials outside of the country. "Partnering with JT to develop this novel compound complements Merck's portfolio of musculoskeletal drug candidates," said Alan B. Ezekowitz, MBChB, D.Phil., senior vice president and franchise head, Bone, Respiratory, Immunology and Endocrine, Merck Research Laboratories. "In the future, we believe that use of antiresorptive and osteoanabolic agents together may provide an effective way to reduce the risk of fractures in patients with osteoporosis." Enditem