Advancell signs agreement with Helsinn to license a product for chemotherapy-induced dermatological conditions
The Catalan biotech firm has developed ATH008, but Helsinn will manufacture and market it.
By Biocat
Catalan biotechnology firm Advancell has signed a licensing agreement with Swiss pharmaceutical group Helsinn for the worldwide development and marketing of ATH008, a new drug to prevent and treat dermatological conditions resulting from chemotherapy.
Advancell has applied its knowledge in drug development and formulation optimization to develop ATH008. As shown in preclinical and clinical trials carried out so far, the new product is safe and effective for reducing the occurrence and severity of the most common chemotherapy-related pathologies: Palmoplantar Erythrodysesthesia Syndrome (PPES) and Hand-Foot Skin Reactions (HFSR). Both are painful and debilitating for patients, who in certain cases even discontinue chemotherapy treatments when the side effects become too serious.
Development, approval, manufacturing, marketing and sales –direct or indirect- of ATH008 are now in the hands of Helsinn. The Lugano-based pharmaceutical company, which has branches in Ireland and the United States, now holds the exclusive global license for the product and in return will pay Advancell development milestones and sales royalties.
This new product created by Advancell joins other significant advances they have also developed for diseases like multiple sclerosis and leukemia. The agreement between the Catalan biotech firm and Helsinn once again demonstrates the strength of research in the pharmaceutical sector in the BioRegion.
More information is available on the Advancell website.