Grünenthal and Apotex Inc. Announce Exclusive Licensing Agreement for Neuropathic Pain Patch Qutenza® in Canada
AACHEN, GERMANY & TORONTO, CANADA – Grünenthal, a global leader in pain management and related diseases, has entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Apotex Inc. (“Apotex”), the largest Canadian-based pharmaceutical company. The agreement will grant Apotex exclusive rights to market and distribute Qutenza®, a topical pain patch used for the management of neuropathic pain, in Canada.
Under the agreement, Apotex’s Specialty Pharma Division, Searchlight Pharma, will pursue marketing authorization for Qutenza® and handle its distribution in Canada upon regulatory approval. Grünenthal will receive an upfront payment, as well as milestone payments and royalties.
Grünenthal acquired the global rights to Qutenza® in 2018 as part of its growth strategy. Since then, the company has invested over €2 billion in successful M&A transactions and continues to generate additional value through integration into its infrastructure, creating synergies in manufacturing, logistics, and commercial activities.
Jan Adams, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Grünenthal, expressed excitement about the partnership and the potential impact it will have on patients in need. “We have continuously developed Qutenza® to expand its footprint and reach more patients in need – most notably through a relaunch and label extension in the US,” said Adams. “Apotex’s exceptional commercial capabilities make them the ideal partner for us to tap into the Canadian market, one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world. We look forward to serving Canadian patients with this non-systemic, non-opioid treatment option and moving closer to our vision of a world free of pain.”
The agreement also highlights Apotex’s dedication to meeting the needs of patients with innovative solutions and expands their global portfolio of over 550 pharmaceutical and consumer health products.
Mark Nawacki, President of Searchlight, emphasized the significance of bringing Qutenza® to Canada. “Licensing the Canadian rights to Qutenza® enables us to improve the lives of Canadians by increasing the options for advanced pain management, specifically by bringing to Canada a differentiated and novel agent for the treatment of neuropathic pain that is already commercialized in the EU and US markets,” said Nawacki. “This agreement demonstrates our continued momentum along our Journey of Health growth strategy and our dedication to enhancing patient care.”
Qutenza® is currently indicated for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in adults in Europe and is approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet in adults in the US. For more information, please visit www.grunenthalhealth.com.
About Grünenthal
Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, fully integrated pharmaceutical company, they have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the-art technologies to patients worldwide. Their purpose is to change lives for the better, and innovation is their passion. Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 27 countries across Europe, Latin America, and the US. Their products are available in approximately 100 countries, and in 2023, they employed around 4,400 people and achieved revenues of €1.8 billion. For more information, visit www.grunenthal.com and follow them on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Apotex and Searchlight Pharma
Apotex is a Canadian-based global health company that provides affordable, innovative medicines and health products to millions of people worldwide. They offer a broad portfolio of generic, biosimilar, and innovative branded pharmaceuticals and consumer health products. With headquarters in Toronto and regional offices in the United States, Mexico, and India, they are the largest Canadian-based pharmaceutical company and a health partner of choice for the Americas for pharmaceutical licensing and product acquisitions.
Searchlight Pharma, Apotex’s Specialty Pharma Division, specializes in the search, acquisition, and development of innovative and unique specialty healthcare products. They focus on promoting products in women’s health, dermatology, allergy, pain management, and hospital specialty markets. For more information, visit www.apotex.com and www.searchlightpharma.com.
Media Contacts
Grünenthal:
Florian Dieckmann
Head Global Corporate Affairs
Phone: +49 241 569-2555
Florian.Dieckmann@grunenthal.com
Apotex:
Media, media@apotex.com
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.