Roche signs agreement to in-license Medivir’s novel HIV/ AIDS treatment

Roche announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Swedish biotech company, Medivir, for the in-licensing of its innovative HIV treatment MV026048. MV026048 is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) which is in pre-clinical development and is expected to enter phase 1 clinical studies in 2003.

In contrast to the currently marketed NNRTIs, preclinical data for MV026048 indicate that this new generation compound has a unique resistance profile. The importance of this is that the current NNRTIs share extensive cross resistance, meaning that when one member of the class fails, patients are unlikely to obtain any benefit from the other currently approved NNRTIs. MV026048's unique resistance profile could make it an important option for a significant number of people with HIV.

Under the terms of the agreement Roche will make up-front and milestone payments to Medivir totalling US$ 42 million should the product reach the market. In addition, Roche will pay royalties on sales. Roche will have responsibility for the development of the drug and the exclusive worldwide marketing rights to MV026048 with the exception of the Nordic Territory (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) which will be maintained by Medivir.

‘Roche has a very strong presence in the HIV disease area through our HIV protease inhibitors Viracept and Invirase/Fortovase’ stated William M. Burns, Head of Roche Pharmaceuticals. ‘Our strategy is to discover and develop drugs that address key unmet medical needs such as the rapid increase in HIV drug resistance. Building upon the in-licensing of another unique HIV drug, T-20 which is now completing phase III clinical studies, the acquisition of MV026048 represents an important step in our strategy to address this challenge’.

‘The signing of this licensing agreement represents an important milestone for Medivir’ stated Jonas Frick, CEO of Medivir. ‘It is a clear signal of the confidence Roche has in our compounds and in the scientific expertise of our company. It is rewarding for Medivir that we have been able to rapidly bring to this stage of development a compound that may bring new hope to people living in the shadow of drug resistant HIV’.

Roche is at the forefront of efforts to combat HIV infection and AIDS, committed for 15 years to groundbreaking research and development of award winning new drugs and diagnostic technology. The objective is to provide tailored treatment solutions and an improved standard of care worldwide for those people living with HIV.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. Roche’s innovative products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing people’s well being and quality of life. For more information on Roche and its commitment to research in HIV, visit the: roche-hiv.com website.

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