Depomed, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, has agreed to acquire the US rights to the Nucynta franchise from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for $1.05 billion. The Nucynta franchise includes Nucynta ER (tapentadol) extended-release tablets indicated for the management of pain, including neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment, and Nucynta (tapentadol), an immediate-release version of tapentadol, for management of moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Nucynta (tapentadol) oral solution is an approved oral form of tapentadol that has not been launched. The deal will make Nucynta the flagship asset in Depomed’s portfolio of pain and neurology specialty pharmaceuticals.

The Nucynta franchise generated US net sales of approximately $166 million for the 12 months ended September 2014. Nucynta has composition of matter patent protection to August 2022, a potential pediatric extension into 2023, and additional patents that could extend beyond that timeframe. Nucynta was approved in the US in November 2008, and Nucynta ER was approved in the US in August 2011.

Under the deal, Depomed will make a cash payment to Janssen of $1.05 billion. In return, Depomed will assume the US license and related royalty obligations for Nucynta to Grunenthal, the originator of tapentadol. The transaction has been unanimously approved by Depomed’s board of directors. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015, following termination or expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and completion of financing and other customary closing conditions.

Source: Depomed