Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (AEZS, AEZ.TO) said it and Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (KERX) have agreed to terminate their license agreement with respect to perifosine, as a result of which Aeterna Zentaris has regained in full the North American rights to its Akt inhibitor anticancer compound, perifosine, in all indications. Termination of the agreement was effective as of May 4, 2012.
The company also said it will continue the ongoing Phase 3 trial in multiple myeloma with this compound.
As per the terms of the agreement to terminate, all intellectual property and development data, including orphan drug designations and Investigational New Drug applications on perifosine generated by Keryx, have been transferred to Aeterna Zentaris. In return, Aeterna Zentaris has agreed to pay low single-digit royalties to Keryx on future net sales of perifosine in North America.
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