Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Matsumoto, Nagano; Chairman and CEO: Mutsuo Kanzawa; “Kissei”) announced that it has entered into a license agreement with JW Pharmaceutical Corporation (Head Office: The Republic of Korea, CEO: SY Lee; “JWP”) to license development and commercialization rights in Korea for the GnRH antagonist linzagolix that was discovered by Kissei.
By executing this agreement, in Korea, JWP will develop and commercialize linzagolix. Kissei will receive an upfront payment, milestone payments based on the progress of the development conducted and royalty payments according to the sales of product by JWP.
Linzagolix is a novel, orally administered GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) receptor antagonist. Linzagolix acts by antagonizing GnRH at the GnRH receptor in the pituitary gland and consequently suppressing the secretion of gonadotropin. Ultimately reducing estrogen production at the ovaries, it improves symptoms of uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
In Japan, Kissei has initiated Phase III clinical trial for uterine fibroids. In the EU, linzagolix received marketing authorization for uterine fibroids in June 2022, and Theramex (U.K.) is preparing for market launch in the first half of Japan’s fiscal 2024. In Taiwan, Synmosa (Taiwan) is in the process of filing for approval, and in China, Bio Genuine (China) is conducting clinical trials.
Kissei focuses on drug discovery, research and development of new drugs. In collaboration with partner companies, Kissei will contribute to the health of people around the world through developing novel drugs.
The upfront payment to be incurred as a result of this transaction has been factored into the consolidated earnings forecast for the Japan’s fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, which was announced on May 7, 2024.
About JW Pharmaceutical Corporation
JW Pharmaceutical Corporation is Korea’s leading pharmaceutical company, founded in 1945. They lead innovation by engaging in the development of innovative new medicines and working to improve people’s health and lives with cross-boundary efforts.
JW Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Kissei have concluded contracts for Silodosin, a drug for the improvement of urinary dysfunction, and Mitiglinide, a drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, both medicines created by Kissei. They are still utilized for the treatment of patients in Korea. For more details of JW Pharmaceutical Corporation, please visit http://www.jw-pharma.co.kr/pharma/en/main.jsp.
