Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) and Novartis Pharma K.K. (Novartis Pharma) on February 29, 2020, executed a co-promotion agreement in Japan for Novartis Pharma's angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) LCZ696 (generic name: sacubitril valsartan sodium hydrate) currently being developed by Novartis Pharma as a planned treatment for chronic heart failure.

Under the terms of this agreement, Novartis Pharma and Otsuka will jointly undertake the promotion of LCZ696 to healthcare practitioners in Japan. Otsuka will pay an upfront payment of JPY 10 billion and additional milestones to Novartis Pharma. Novartis Pharma will pay to Otsuka a promotion fee according to the sales of the product. No further financial terms were disclosed.

LCZ696 is a new type of drug that reduces cardiac load in chronic heart failure by activating a protective neurohormonal mechanism (natriuretic peptide system) while suppressing the harmful effects of overactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).^1,2 Novartis Pharma is currently applying for approval of the drug in Japan with a planned indication for chronic heart failure.

Novartis Pharma President and Representative Director Kazunari Tsunaba said, "Otsuka Pharmaceutical has extensive institutional knowledge in the area of heart failure, so I am delighted that we have been able to form this contract together. Through this partnership, we can better meet the medical needs of patients struggling with chronic heart failure in Japan."

Otsuka President and Representative Director Tatsuo Higuchi said, "We are honored that our work in our key focus area of renal and cardiovascular disease has been recognized by Novartis, which has one of the leading drug portfolios in the world. I look forward to seeing this collaboration provide chronic heart failure patients in Japan with a new treatment option."

References

1. EMA. Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan). Summary of product characteristics. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/004062/WC500197536.pdf. Accessed July 2019.

2. Langenickel T, Dole W. Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibition with LCZ696: a novel approach for the treatment of heart failure. Drug Discov Today. 2012;9(4):e131-139. doi: 10.1016/j.ddstr.2013.11.002.