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news.US-based Pfizer and German drug maker Merck have finalized a co-promotion agreement that will enable the companies to co-promote Pfizer's anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor Xalkori (crizotinib) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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The agreement allows the alliance to establish a combined oncology sales organization in key markets in advance of the potential launch of avelumab-based treatment regimens in the future.
Xalkori is the first ALK inhibitor approved in the US, Japan and the European Union (EU) and is supported by data from two positive global randomized trials in the first- and second-line ALK-positive advanced NSCLC treatment settings.
As part of the deal, Xalkori will be co-promoted in two waves, the first of which will begin in the second and third quarters of 2015 in the US, Canada, Japan and five EU countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
The second wave will be initiated in 2016 and it includes China and Turkey.
In 2015, Merck will receive reimbursement for its promotion of Xalkori and starting in 2016, Pfizer and Merck will split the profits on the product on an 80/20 basis.
The contract in the first wave countries will be in effect through 31 December 2020 and from 01 January 2016 through 2021 in China and Turkey.
Pfizer Oncology president and general manager Liz Barrett said: "We are proud and excited to share the legacy of Xalkori, a medicine that changed the treatment paradigm for patients with ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC, with Merck.
"Through our co-promotion of Xalkori, we will establish a best-in-class global sales organization that will be exceptionally prepared for the potential launches of our future oncology medicines."
Image: Pfizer world headquarters. Photo: courtesy of Jim.henderson.