Lexicon teams with Viatris for global sotagliflozin expansion

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals has announced entering a significant licensing agreement with Viatris. This deal grants Viatris exclusive rights to market sotagliflozin across all indications outside the United States and Europe. The strategic collaboration aims to leverage Viatris' vast global presence and their specialized knowledge in the cardiovascular arena.

As part of the agreement, Viatris will make an upfront payment of $25 million to Lexicon Pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the deal includes potential regulatory and sales milestone payments to Lexicon, as well as tiered royalties on annual net sales, ranging from low-double-digit percentages to upper-teen percentages. This financial arrangement underscores the mutual expectations for the commercial success of sotagliflozin in the international market.

Under the terms of the partnership, Lexicon will retain the rights to commercialize sotagliflozin within the US and European regions. Meanwhile, Viatris will employ its Global Healthcare Gateway to facilitate the medication's accessibility in other parts of the world, thereby ensuring a broader reach to patients in need.

Dr. Mike Exton, CEO and director of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting Viatris' strong expertise in the cardiometabolic field, its global commercial capabilities, and a proven track record of successfully launching new medicines in various territories. Dr. Exton conveyed confidence that the agreement would significantly extend the availability of sotagliflozin to a larger patient population requiring this therapeutic option.

Sotagliflozin, marketed under the brand name INPEFA, is a dual inhibitor targeting sodium-glucose cotransporter types 2 and 1. This innovative medication has garnered approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as of May 2023. Its approved indications include reducing the risk of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure and other cardiovascular-related conditions.

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals will be responsible for supplying sotagliflozin to Viatris for both clinical and commercial uses at an agreed transfer price. This aspect of the agreement ensures that the production and distribution of the medication remain streamlined and efficient.

Looking ahead, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals plans to continue exploring strategic partnerships that could enhance their developmental and commercial capabilities. The company aims to advance its pipeline of medicines and expand the availability of its treatments to a broader patient base worldwide. This approach is in line with Lexicon's overarching mission to maximize the impact of its innovative therapies on global health outcomes.

In summary, the partnership between Lexicon Pharmaceuticals and Viatris represents a strategic alignment designed to optimize the global reach and impact of sotagliflozin. With Viatris' extensive commercial network and Lexicon's innovative therapeutic solutions, this collaboration holds promise for significantly advancing cardiovascular care for patients outside the US and Europe.