Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Business

AstraZeneca Licenses Two Nektar Compounds

by Michael McCoy
September 28, 2009 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 87, Issue 39

AstraZeneca is licensing two drugs from Nektar Therapeutics that are being developed to treat opioid-induced constipation. The deal is worth $125 million for Nektar, plus potential milestone payments. The first drug, NKTR-118, combines naloxol, a derivative of the opioid-antagonist naloxone, with polyethylene glycol. Owing to the polymer component of the drug, its penetration across the blood-brain barrier is limited, so it doesn’t interfere with an opioid’s analgesic effect. The second drug, NKTR-119, is still in early-stage development and will combine NKTR-118 with select opioids. Separately, Eli Lilly & Co. has sold Adolor the rights to OpRA III, an opioid-receptor antagonist to treat gastrointestinal issues associated with opioid analgesics. Lilly gets a $2 million up-front fee and could receive an additional $70 million in milestone payments.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.