Pfizer and Merck KGaA have finalized a co-promotion agreement allowing the companies to co-promote Pfizer's anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor Xalkori (crizotinib). This agreement showcases the alliance's commitment to establishing a combined oncology sales organization in key markets in advance of the potential launch of avelumab-based treatment regimens in the future. This co-promotion relationship is related to the announcement in November 2014 of a global strategic alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer to jointly develop and commercialize avelumab, an investigational anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, to accelerate the development of immuno-oncology medicines for patients with cancer. The immuno-oncology alliance will also advance Pfizer's PD-1 antibody

Xalkori is approved in the United States, Japan and the European Union (EU). Under the agreement, Xalkori will be co-promoted in two waves, the first of which will begin in the second and third quarters of 2015 in the United States, Canada, Japan and five European Union countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom). In the United States and Canada, Xalkori will be co-promoted by EMD Serono, the US and Canadian biopharmaceutical businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The second wave will begin in 2016 and includes China and Turkey.

In 2015, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will receive a reimbursement associated with its promotion of Xalkori, followed by an 80% (Pfizer), 20% (Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) profit sharing on the product starting in 2016. The co-promotion term will last through December 31, 2020 for the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2021 in China and Turkey. Pfizer will report the sales of XalkoriI in countries where it is co-promoted with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Source: Pfizer