MTPC and Cytochroma to develop vitamin D compound

Cytochroma in Canada has granted Japan-based Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) with an exclusive license in the US and Asia to develop and commericalise its novel vitamin D analog.

CTA018 is the first compound in a new class of active vitamin D analogs, which is entering Phase II of development in Canada for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The agreement also grants MTPC access to certain follow-on compounds to CTA018 for the same territories, with Cytochroma retaining all rights to CTA018 and these follow-on compounds in all regions outside the US and Asia.

Cytochroma's management team has an extensive and successful track record in developing and commercialising products for CKD patients in North America. The company's president and ceo Charles W. Bishop, believes the partnership will not only enhance Mitsubishi Tanabe's product pipeline in the US and Asia, but also extend access Cytochroma's expertise to develop its own commercialisation platform in the US.

He added: "The formation of this partnership is a landmark event for Cytochroma and represents an important validation of our novel approach to treating SHT in CKD patients."

MTPC's president and representative director, Natsuki Hayama, said: "I am excited with this synergistic partnership that combines the unique strengths of Cytochroma, a North American-based specialty pharmaceutical company, with Mitsubishi Tanabe, a Japan-based global pharmaceutical company.

Cytochroma may receive up to a total of CDN $105m, which includes an upfront payment, milestone payments, and an equity investment. In exchange for the equity investment, MTPC will receive a certain number of Cytochroma's Class C shares.

CTA018 Injection was well tolerated in Phase I clinical evaluations where it produced clinically meaningful reductions in blood levels of intact parathyroid hormone after less than two weeks of administration.