MARKHAM, ON, June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Cytochroma today announced that it has regained the rights to all indications in the United States (US) and in Asian territories to lunacalcipol (previously known as CTA018) through the termination of a license agreement between Cytochroma and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation ("MTPC"). MTPC and Cytochroma mutually decided to suspend further development of lunacalcipol injection based on changing US market dynamics.
"We are disappointed at the ending of our lunacalcipol collaboration with Mitsubishi Tanabe, and are grateful for their strong support and partnership over the last few years," stated Dr. Charles W. Bishop, President and CEO of Cytochroma. "Lunacalcipol has shown great promise as a new treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism without the calcemic side effects seen with existing vitamin D hormone therapies. But, unfortunately, recent restrictions in government reimbursement for drugs used in US dialysis patients make the continued development of lunacalcipol injection for that patient population financially unsustainable. Our primary focus continues to be moving forward with Phase 3 trials of our lead product, CTAP101 Capsules, which is under development for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with vitamin D insufficiency and stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease, a patient population wherein drug reimbursement dynamics are much more favorable."
In July 2008, Cytochroma and MTPC signed a license agreement under which Cytochroma granted MTPC an exclusive license in the US and Asia, including Japan, to develop and commercialize lunacalcipol.
About Lunacalcipol
Lunacalcipol is the first compound in a new class of vitamin D hormone analogs having a novel dual mechanism of action. Lunacalcipol is designed to be a strong activator of the vitamin D signaling pathway as well as a potent inhibitor of CYP24, the intracellular enzyme responsible for the catabolism of vitamin D hormones.
About Cytochroma
Cytochroma is a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary products to treat and prevent the clinical consequences of vitamin D insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Company specializes in developing new therapies which are designed to safely and effectively treat patients with stage 3, 4 and 5 CKD. Cytochroma also has a portfolio CYP24 and phosphate-uptake inhibitors in early stage development.
For more information about Cytochroma, please visit www.cytochroma.com.
SOURCE Cytochroma
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