Three U.S. pharmaceutical companies have partnered on a project to reverse the anticoagulant activity of Factor Xa inhibitors, including Eliquis (apixaban), in an effort to reduce the incidence of strokes.
The companies, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Pfizer Inc. and Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc., are looking to develop and commercialize the investigational anticoagulant agent andexanet alfa in Japan. The agent is in phase III clinical development in the U.S. and Europe.
With the signing of the agreement, Portola will receive an upfront payment of $15 million and could receive regulatory milestones of $20 million and sales-based milestones of $70 million, along with payments based on andexanet alfa net sales.
The development and marketing costs for andexanet alfa will be shared by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer and Portola.
“We are committed to reducing the risk of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients and treating deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism,” Dr. Douglas Manion, head of specialty development for Bristol-Myers Squibb, said. “Bristol-Myers Squibb's and Pfizer’s agreement with Portola is an important step forward toward the goal of delivering the first reversal agent for Factor Xa inhibitors, including Eliquis, to patients in Japan.”
Dr. Rory O’Connor, head of global medical affairs and global innovative pharmaceuticals business for Pfizer, agreed.
“This agreement in Japan is another great example of the alliance’s commitment to the patients we serve,” he said. “Eliquis has proven to be an important treatment option for patients at risk for stroke and blood clots due to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, but currently there is no approved reversal agent. With our partner, Bristol-Myers Squibb, we look forward to working with Portola to develop andexanet alfa as a reversal agent for Eliquis in Japan.”
