Zokinvy is a disease-modifying agent that blocks the accumulation of defective progerin and progerin-like proteins that cause premature ageing in children and young adults with progeria, a rare, progressive genetic disorder
Sentynl acquires Zokinvy to treat progeria. (Credit: Leohoho on Unsplash)
Sentynl Therapeutics, the US subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences, has closed its previously announced acquisition of Zokinvy (lonafarnib) from Eiger BioPharmaceuticals.
Eiger is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative therapies for rare metabolic diseases.
Under the terms of the transaction, Sentynl acquired global rights to Zokinvy and assumes responsibility for its manufacture and commercialisation.
Zokinvy is a disease-modifying agent that blocks the accumulation of defective progerin and progerin-like proteins that cause premature ageing in children and young adults with progeria.
Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and processing-deficient progeroid laminopathies (PDPL), is an extremely rare, progressive genetic disorder.
Zokinvy has secured regulatory approvals in the US in 2020, European Union (EU) and Great Britain in 2022 and Japan in January this year.
It is the first and only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment to target the cause and symptoms of progeria in young people aged 12 months and above.
Sentynl president and CEO Matt Heck said: “It is an honour to add Zokinvy to our portfolio of products that have a tangible impact on the lives of rare disease patients, whose needs are too often unmet or overlooked.
“We are firmly committed to providing best-in-class global access to Zokinvy and are eager to serve the patients and their families affected by progeria.
“We are grateful to Eiger and The Progeria Research Foundation for their dedicated effort to develop and secure the availability of this life-changing product.”
Last month, Eiger and its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the US Code (Chapter 11 case) in Texas’ Bankruptcy Court, which also approved the transaction.
Sentynl was designated as the winning bidder during the auction held as part of Eiger’s court-supervised sale process, with a final bid of a base price of $46.1m.
Eiger CEO David Apelian said: “We are pleased to complete this agreement with Sentynl, given our shared commitment to supporting patients of life-threatening, rare conditions with high unmet medical needs.”
Zydus Lifesciences managing director Sharvil Patel said: “This acquisition marks an important milestone in growing our portfolio of medicines for rare and orphan diseases, which can have devastating consequences if left untreated.
“We are focused on supporting patients to live healthier and more fulfilled lives. The acquisition of Zokinvy directly furthers this mission, as it has a demonstrated meaningful impact on young patients and their families.”